In this SustMeme Guest Post, Ruby Damenshie-Brown and Nii Noi Kofi Omaboe, both of Transform Transport Accra, explore the background and solutions to the transport crisis in the capital city of Ghana, West Africa.
RD-B & NNKO: Accra, Ghana’s capital on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, is a busy centre for government, commerce, and trade, with a growing population of over 2.5 million people. Yet, in recent months, the city has suffered from a severe public transportation shortage, and the problem is only getting worse.
The crisis is visible daily. During peak morning and evening hours, commuters across the metropolis face gruelling delays, often standing in lines for 30 to 40 minutes or more.
Even after the long wait, many find seats unavailable or are forced to pay unexpectedly high fares.
Some Tro-tro (commercial minibus) operators have resorted to operating only short routes to make more money, taking advantage of the situation. What should be a routine commute has devolved into a daily struggle, fundamentally reshaping how residents move, work, and live in the capital.
Understanding the crisis
Across major routes from towns in and around the metropolitan district — such as Amasaman and Lapaz, to Tema and Kasoa — passengers report severe shortages of buses and Tro-tros. Early arrivals often end up leaving frustrated or have to resort to alternative, sometimes unsafe means.
Several interlinked factors contribute to this systemic failure in urban transport provision:
- Limited Public Transport Fleet: State-owned fleets such as the Ayalolo buses operate well below capacity, with only a fraction of vehicles active.
- Traffic Congestion: Peak-hour congestion slows vehicle turnover, leaving fewer departures, longer waits.
- Operational Practices: Drivers and unions have been accused of reducing service during peak hours to push up fares — even if unintentional, short trips and fare manipulation erode commuter confidence.
Not everyone is in the same boat, or bus. Women and children, as well as low-income commuters are the ones disproportionately affected, bearing the brunt of long waits, high costs, and unsafe conditions.
Socially unsustainable, the ripple effect extends to productivity, school attendance, and family life.
Government and short-term fixes
In response, authorities have taken several measures:
- Mobilising transport unions and state operators to reduce fare exploitation, improve equitable service;
- Deploying extra buses on key routes during peak periods;
- Adjusting intercity trips to allow more vehicles for urban commuting; plus
- Confirming that Metro Mass Transit Ltd (MMTL) will receive 350 new buses by early February 2026, in a bid to boost public transport and expand the scope of services.
While helpful, these measures address only immediate shortages, not the underlying structural problems.
Embedding sustainable mobility
Piecemeal interventions will not suffice. What Accra really needs is an integrated approach, combining robust public transport, dedicated bus lanes, regulated fleets, and sustainable mobility initiatives.
Sustainable mobility emphasises cycling, walking, and active transport as complementary solutions. It promotes pedestrian-friendly streets and safe cycling lanes. it also supports community awareness campaigns that can reduce congestion, enhance public health, and mitigate environmental impacts.
The way forward
Change can happen fast — even modest shifts towards active transport can improve overall urban mobility, reduce dependence on limited public fleets, and empower commuters to reclaim their daily schedules.
Thoughtful urban planning can transform the commuter experience, fostering safety, efficiency, and equity.
Accra’s transport challenges underscore the broader need for cities to balance economic, social, and environmental priorities. Addressing congestion, fleet limitations, and mobility inequities while promoting sustainable alternatives can create a city that works for everyone, healthier, safer, and more connected.
Ruby Damenshie-Brown is a research associate at Transform Transport Accra and a PhD student in climate change and sustainable development at the University of Ghana, Center for Climate Change and Sustainable Development. Her research interests lie at the intersection of gender, clean energy, public health, and sustainable development, with a focus on lived experiences and policy-relevant evidence in African contexts.
Nii Noi Omaboe is a sustainability professional with six years in research and advocacy on inclusive climate action and sustainable urban development. Founder and lead campaigner at Transform Transport Accra, he is a fellow with the Clean Mobility Collective, a worldwide movement of organisations working together to achieve fossil-free, healthy and safe cities for all.
Further Reading:
- More about Transform Transport Accra;
- Also on SustMeme, Innovation in crowd management for historic city;
- Also on SustMeme, Mobility Hotel drives urban green agenda;
- Also on SustMeme, Toolbox for urban decarbonisation and resilience;
- Also on SustMeme, Vehicle-to-Everything tech hits the road in smart-city Georgia;
- Also on SustMeme, Call to use urban car space to walk and cycle post-COVID.
You can check out the full archive of past Guest Blog posts here.
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