The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has tasked the newly inaugurated 4th Executive Council of the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive to spearhead structural reforms aimed at resolving Accra’s transport inefficiencies and boosting economic output.
The directive positions urban mobility as a critical economic enabler, with government seeking to modernise public transport systems to support productivity, reduce congestion costs, and improve labour market efficiency across the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA).
Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister underscored the strategic role of GAPTE in coordinating transport planning, route development, and regulation, noting that the institution had evolved significantly since its establishment under the Ghana Urban Transport Project in 2005.
He stressed that a well-functioning transport system remains central to sustaining Accra’s contribution to national growth, which currently accounts for between 34 and 39 percent of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
However, he noted that inefficiencies in the transport sector continue to erode productivity through lost man-hours, high commuting costs, and logistical delays.
“An inefficient urban transport system directly impacts business operations and economic competitiveness,” he said, adding that improving mobility would lower transaction costs and enhance access to jobs and markets.
A key focus of the reforms is the revitalisation of the Ayalolo Bus System, a state-backed mass transit initiative coordinated by GAPTE.
The Minister indicated that strengthening the system would be critical to supporting the government’s proposed 24-hour economy policy by ensuring reliable, round-the-clock transport services for workers and businesses.
Despite policy efforts, the Minister highlighted structural gaps in the sector, revealing that about 70 percent of Accra’s residents still depend on informal transport services, limiting efficiency and regulatory oversight. He noted that only a small proportion of the population has access to structured and reliable public transport, constraining urban mobility and economic inclusion.
The situation, he added, also imposes significant external costs on the economy, including rising road traffic accidents, increased healthcare burdens, and environmental degradation caused by vehicle emissions.
To address these challenges, the Minister called for stronger inter-agency coordination and integrated planning among Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), in line with the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936). He emphasised that fragmented planning approaches have historically undermined transport reforms and must be replaced with a unified, data-driven strategy.
The newly constituted Council has been mandated to prioritise investment planning, optimise route networks, and explore innovative financing and operational models to improve service delivery.
This includes leveraging public-private partnerships and adopting digital transport management systems to enhance efficiency and accountability.
Mr. Ibrahim further urged local authorities to protect transport infrastructure and support enforcement measures, noting that sustained investment in urban mobility would yield long-term economic and social returns, including improved quality of life and increased business activity.
He acknowledged potential constraints such as limited fiscal space and the complexity of coordinating across multiple jurisdictions but expressed confidence that the Council could deliver transformative outcomes.
The inauguration of the new GAPTE Council signals a renewed policy push to reposition urban transport as a driver of economic growth, with expectations that improved mobility systems will enhance productivity, support job creation, and strengthen Accra’s role as Ghana’s economic hub.
