By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, July 2, GNA – Persistent evening traffic congestion along the Ablekuma corridor has prompted commuters and commercial drivers to call for urgent traffic management measures.
The congestion, which affects the stretch from Ablekuma FanMilk through Ablekuma Curve to Borkoborko, has become a daily challenge for commuters travelling from Accra’s central business district and surrounding areas after work.
Commuters and commercial drivers, in separate interviews with the Ghana News Agency, said journeys that ordinarily took only a few minutes between Ablekuma FanMilk and Ablekuma Curve frequently exceeded one hour during the evening peak period.
Ablekuma Curve is a major transit point for passengers connecting to Borkoborko, Olebu, Pokusi, Oduma, Joma and other neighbouring communities.
Commercial drivers attributed the worsening congestion to rapid population growth and increased residential and commercial development along the corridor.
They said the improved road network had attracted more residents and businesses, leading to higher traffic volumes, particularly during the evening rush.
Mr Kwame Asamoah, a commercial driver, said the congestion had reduced the number of trips drivers could make each day, affecting their earnings.
“Most evenings, it takes more than one hour to reach Ablekuma Curve from FanMilk. The traffic builds up quickly after working hours, making it difficult to move,” he said.
Passengers described the daily commute as exhausting, saying prolonged delays in traffic affected onward travel to their destinations.
Ms Efua Obeng, an office worker, said the delays meant many residents arrived home late each evening, leaving little time to rest before the next working day.
Some residents attributed the congestion to population growth, expanding commercial activities and the increasing number of private and commercial vehicles using the corridor during peak periods.
Others cited indiscipline among some motorists, including indiscriminate stopping to pick up passengers, illegal parking and disregard for traffic regulations.
The commuters appealed to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service to strengthen traffic management along the corridor.
They proposed deploying traffic wardens during the evening peak period, improving traffic signal coordination, enforcing road traffic regulations and creating designated loading points for commercial vehicles.
They expressed the hope that the relevant authorities would take steps to improve traffic flow and reduce travel time along the corridor.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku