As Ghana grapples with worsening traffic congestion and urban mobility issues, the National Development Planning Commission’s (NDPC) Transport Infrastructure Framework (2018–2047) emphasizes the critical role of local governments in addressing the crisis. Part of the broader Ghana Infrastructure Plan (GIP), the long-term framework highlights persistent gaps in urban transport infrastructure and calls for stronger decentralized action to improve traffic management, road networks, and public transport systems across the country’s rapidly growing cities.
These concerns were highlighted on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, January 14, where Citi FM and Channel One TV Managing Director Samuel Attah-Mensah argued that Ghana’s transport problems cannot be solved merely by adding more buses.
He noted that deep inequalities in vehicle ownership leave most low-income residents dependent on public transport, yet they often lack access to essential infrastructure such as proper roads, bus terminals, and organized trotro stations.
Attah-Mensah also pointed out that Ghana already has a long-term transport roadmap under the NDPC’s 2018–2047 framework, identifying transport infrastructure as a national priority that has suffered from weak implementation, particularly at the local government level.
Programme host Bernard Avle added that urban mobility should be a central focus of public discourse, urging local government institutions to take greater responsibility in managing transport systems.
Under the NDPC framework and Ghana’s decentralization laws, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are expected to play leading roles in urban transport planning and implementation. Supervised by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development (MLGDRD), MMDAs are responsible for municipal roads, traffic management, spatial planning, and basic urban infrastructure—essential elements of effective urban mobility.
This aligns with comments from Dr. Gameli Hoedoafia, Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralization, who emphasized that transport challenges are primarily district-level responsibilities. While the central government sets policy through the Ministry of Transport, implementation is legally entrusted to local authorities.
Despite their mandate, MMDAs face significant obstacles. Limited internally generated funds (IGF) constrain their ability to finance transport infrastructure, with most assemblies relying heavily on the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) and donor support—often insufficient for growing urban transport needs.
Capacity gaps in technical planning, project prioritization, and public–private partnership (PPP) structuring further slow transport project delivery. Weak data systems, poor coordination between national and local institutions, and inconsistent enforcement of spatial plans also undermine efficiency.
The scale of investment required adds another challenge. Ghana’s infrastructure plan estimates tens of billions of dollars will be needed over the next three decades to modernize transport networks, much of which must come from innovative financing and private sector participation rather than traditional public funds.
The Way Forward: Strengthening Decentralized Action
To address these gaps, the NDPC framework and policy stakeholders recommend a multi-pronged approach:
- Capacity Building: Strengthen technical support to MMDAs in urban transport planning, project management, and financing.
- Integrated Local Planning: Mainstream transport and spatial planning into medium-term development plans to manage congestion and urban growth.
- Fiscal Decentralization: Enhance IGF mobilization and fiscal autonomy to reduce reliance on central government transfers.
- Public–Private Partnerships: Support local authorities in leveraging private finance for mass transit systems and traffic management infrastructure.
Conclusion: Shared Responsibility, Local Leadership
The NDPC framework underscores that while national policy direction and funding remain important, transforming Ghana’s urban transport system ultimately depends on effective decentralized action.
As urban populations continue to grow, local governments are best positioned to deliver responsive, context-specific transport solutions. Achieving this will require stronger financial tools, improved technical capacity, and sustained coordination between central and local authorities to translate long-term plans into tangible results.
