By Benjamin A. Commey
Accra, Oct 23, GNA – Mr Joseph Bukari Nape, the Minister of Transport, has revealed plans to revamp urban mobility with smart, resilient infrastructure, aiming to reduce congestion, enhance public transport, and create sustainable cities for a growing population.
He said, this would be done by investing massively in smart and resilient infrastructure in all modes of transport, to create meaningful opportunities for young people, women, and persons with disability to actively participate in our transport economy.
“Excellency, our vision goes beyond mere implemental change, it demands bold reforms and prioritises efficiency, safety, and sustainability across all modes of transport, namely road, rail, maritime, innovation, and the emerging digital mobility platforms,” Mr Nikpe said.
The Transport Minister announced this at the opening ceremony of the maiden Ghana Transport and Logistics Fair (GTLF) 2025, in Accra, on Wednesday.
The fair is being held on the theme: “Resetting Transport Sector for Connectivity, Innovation and Investment”.
President John Dramani Mahama graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
The three-day event, organised by the Ministry in collaboration with Digital Eye, aims to showcase innovation, such as latest vehicles, aviation technologies, shipping solutions, rail concepts, electronic mobility, and digital platforms, as well as attract investment and promote collaboration to redefine the country’s transport and logistics sectors.
Mr. Nikpe described the GTLF as a testament of government’s unwavering commitment to progress, innovation, and inclusivity within the transport and logistics sector.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s transport sector, citing ongoing projects such as the expansion and modernisation of the Kotoka International Airport, notably the repurposing of Terminal Two and the construction of a new air traffic control tower to enhance safety, in the aviation sector.
He stated that the government was also extending the runway at Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region to accommodate medium-sized aircrafts, while measures including advanced passenger information, passenger name record systems to detect threats at the airports.
Additionally, Mr Nikpe disclosed that new measures had been introduced at the country’s including advanced passenger information, passenger name record systems to detect threats, guarantee safety and security at the airports.
On maritime transport, Mr Nikpe said the rehabilitation of the Tema harbour breakwater was ongoing, explaining that when completed, it would ensure vessel safety and operational efficiency.
Additionally, he said, the Ghana Shippers Authority was working to reduce port business costs through effective regulation of shipping services, while efforts were also underway to develop coastal water transportation to complement the existing road transport systems, with feasibility studies set to begin soon.
For public transport services, the Minister disclosed that several parallel programmes were currently underway to renew the fleet of Metro Mass Transit Limited and Intercity STC Coaches Limited, with the goal of improving and expanding services and also to drive sector decarbonisation through electronic buses and the development of related charging infrastructure.
“Excellency, the review of the road safety traffic act 2004 and the regulation 2012 are ongoing to create a regulatory environment that promotes safety and encourage the use of motorcycles and tricycles for fair-paying passenger services and support job creation for our team and youth,” the Minister added.
Regarding the railway sector, Mr Nikpe said, work had resumed on the Western Rail Line, which was previously halted, while services had also began on the Tema–Nkpakadan Line, and would be upscaled for fleet operations with the development of port infrastructure at the Volta Lake to receive vessels.
“These interventions are supported by strategic partnership with the public sector, mobilising the investment to make Ghana the preferred transport and logistics hub within the West Africa sub-region and under the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he indicated.
Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, who was the Chairman of the event, emphasised the importance of building a strong and robust transport sector, explaining that it was crucial in advancing trade within the country and across the continent.
“Transportation is very important; that is what allows people to move, that is what allows goods to move and therefore that is what allows trade to happen and therefore development to spread across the entire country and hopefully, across the entire continent of Africa,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah