When President John Dramani Mahama delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last week, he spoke of plans to introduce 300 new buses for Intercity STC, Metro Mass Transit and private operators. What value does this bring to the millions trapped daily in overcrowded, unsafe and slow-moving public transport?
Cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Sekondi-Takoradi are gridlocked not because there are not enough buses, but because there are no dedicated lanes to allow buses to move efficiently. Buying more buses without reserving road space for them is a recipe for repeated failure. The Chronicle is compelled to say that without dedicated bus lanes, Ghana’s transport system will continue to fail its people.
We hold the view that buses alone cannot solve mobility problems. Without dedicated bus lanes, these vehicles will be trapped alongside private cars, and commuters will continue to endure long delays, unsafe conditions, and overcrowding. This is why we argue that dedicated lanes are not optional, they are the backbone of any modern urban transport system.
Urbanisation intensifies the problem. Ghana’s urban population has grown from 50 per cent in the year 2000 to nearly 58 per cent today. Accra alone houses over five million residents. Over three million registered vehicles – 70 per cent in Accra and Kumasi jam narrow, poorly maintained roads. As a result government cannot continue to rely on stopgap measures while ignoring the infrastructure necessary for effective public transport.
Public transport in Ghana is largely informal. Trotros and taxis operate without schedules or stops. Drivers routinely overload passengers and charge exorbitant fares. Weak traffic management, reckless driving, and poor enforcement exacerbate congestion. For over a decade, authorities have watched this crisis unfold. The Chronicle asks: why has the government not made dedicated bus lanes a non-negotiable policy?
We maintain that a modern transport strategy must place dedicated bus lanes at its core. These lanes allow high-capacity buses to move reliably, reduce travel times, and encourage citizens to use public transport rather than private cars. Complementary measures – expanded rail networks, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, upgraded roads and smart traffic management – are important, but all rely on buses being able to move freely in priority lanes. Without this, no urban transport system can function.
Road congestion is choking Ghana’s economy, polluting the air, and destroying quality of life. The Chronicle will not remain silent as commuters continue to suffer due to poor planning and weak government action. Importing buses without dedicated lanes is a superficial solution. Ghana needs a bold, comprehensive plan that gives public transport the space it needs to work.
We call on President Mahama and his administration to stop repeating past mistakes. Dedicated bus lanes must be the centerpiece of a national mobility strategy. Only then can buses, trains, and other public transport modes operate efficiently, safely, and sustainably. Ghana cannot afford incremental measures. The time for action is now and the first step is clear: give our buses dedicated lanes and give Ghanaians the mobility they deserve.
The Chronicle stresses this clearly: dedicated bus lanes are not a detail, they are the foundation of any credible transport system. Without them, all other measures will fail.
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