Intercity STC Coaches Limited and GH Express have jointly commissioned an Ultra Modern Bus Terminal in Kumasi.
The facility was constructed under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) deal by GH-Express and will be operated by Intercity STC Coaches Limited, with the sole intention of providing “comfortable, reliable, safe and convenient” bus services to their esteemed customers at the terminal.
The new STC bus terminal, situated at Labour Roundabout, at Asafo, which boasts of Rest rooms, shopping mall, Barbering shop, Restaurant, Sick Bay and Event Centre will facilitate trips between Kumasi and Accra, Takoradi, Nandom, Kintampo and Ouagadougo in Burkina Faso, among other routes.
Mr Joseph Sackey, Chief Executive Officer of GH-Express, disclosed that the “Terminal”, being the first of its kind in the Ashanti Region, is the ‘brainchild’ of Mr. Isaac Ofori Poku, Chairman of IOP Group of Companies.
He noted that the “need” for such projects in the region and for that matter all regional capitals is long “overdue” and assured that more of such projects would be established across the country towards transforming the landscape of our road transportation system.
The Chief Executive Officer of GH-Express explained the importance of providing a serene environment and state-of-the-art edifice for passengers.
Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, expressed his profound gratitude to management of GH-Express for partnering the government to improve the transport system.
The Minister emphasised that any nation that has a “bad transport system” has a “problem”, the reason why the Akufo-Addo-led NPP government is constructing two major road projects in the region.
The Transport Minister indicated that our “maintenance culture” as a country is “low”, hence partnering with the private sector under the PPP to ensure that public properties are protected.
Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, emphasising the crucial role of partnering with the private sector to enhance Ghana’s transport system, noted that a poor transport system not only affects the economy, but also hinders the country’s progress.
Mr Asiamah acknowledged the significant contribution of the private sector to the transport system, which he pegged at 95% of public transport services and stressed the need for collaboration between the government and private sector to prioritise the transport sector and drive economic growth.
The Transport Minister also announced that the government was working to introduce more eco-friendly transport systems, including electric buses.
This move is expected to reduce Ghana’s carbon footprint and promote sustainable transportation solutions.
The Minister’s emphasis on partnering with the private sector recognises the critical role that private investment can play in driving growth and development in the transport sector.
Nana Akomea, the Chief Executive Officer for Intercity State Transport Company, was optimistic about government’s plans of reducing challenges facing the transport industry.
He commended the government for the electric buses, which he said was in the right direction to change the narrative of the transport sector. The Asafohene, Akyamfour Asafo Boakye Agyemang Bonsu, who presided over the commissioning of the facility, expressed his excitement and commended the management of the State Transport agency (STC).
Achamfour Asafo Boakye Agyemang Bonsu lauded the government for rebranding State transport Company making it one of the enviable transport companies in the country and appealed to the government to put measures in place to sustain the transport sector especially with the state owned.
Nana Bonsu urged STC to look at other alternative and “sustainable transport” systems and recommended “hydrogen buses”, which he said, are eco-friendly besides convenience and the benefit of a reliable transport system.
From Oswald Pius Freiku, Kumasi
