The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana; Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang met with AAYALOLO Bus Terminal Officials in Adenta, to enquire on challenges and hindrances surrounding the Transport Ministry and how these challenges can be curbed to ensure smooth transport running system for commuters in Ghana particularly, those in the urban areas. The event took place on 16th January, 2026.
From the CEO – Mr. Awudu Dawuda, GAPTE (Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive), is an agency under the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and it is important for the public to know why this agency is under the aforementioned, and the responsibilities expected of them. He explained that, the Board under this agency is made up of MMDCEs (Metropolitan, Municipal District Chief Executives) in various respective areas. So for instance, Accra has their own MMDCEs likewise Kasoa and other environments; and their mandates are to assist the Ministry of Transport to coordinate affairs regarding the Transport System including – Transport decongestion, Transport declination, Transport development and issues surrounding regulations as well as overcrowding, across these areas.
He stressed that, in 2016 NDC government procured 245 buses to this agency to enhance mobility among commuters, where even in 2016, commuters who had their own cars parked theirs at the terminals and joined AAYALOLO buses to their respective destinations for their daily activities. However, in 2018 to 2019, the new administration, redistributed 60 of these AAYALOLO buses to Ashanti Region – Kumasi specifically, whilst others were distributed to Tamale, Takoradi, leaving a few in Accra for the operation of BRT (Bus Rapid Transport). This Bus distribution according to the CEO caused the havoc being experienced today. Considering the fact that, the AAYALOLO Buses which were designed and instituted as Bus Rapid Transport, to move at a high rate of speed on designated roads without being in traffic jams; due to the new administration procedural changes and directives for other private car users to also use those designated roads, competition unfolded; creating faults, malfunctioning of the buses, high traffic jams and the long queues being experienced at various lorry stations, today.
Again, under the new administration, the CEO mentioned that terminals at which these private cars parked, gradually got confiscated including; the areas of Amasaman, Kinbu, Kasoa and many environments. So currently, management is working tirelessly to get these terminals back and had also made effort to get the 60 buses from Kumasi for smooth Transport running system in Accra. However, 4 out of the 60 buses that were sent during the new administration era, got burnt in Kumasi, so, management only had 56 buses being retrieved currently, he informed.
The Vice President on the other hand, appreciated the agency’s effort through the challenges to get these buses back and acknowledged that, the government of Ghana is making preparations to get things better, in terms of supplying them, Metro Mass Transit Limited, Private Companies and their MMDCEs, with buses. Notwithstanding, Professor Jane also added that, the exploitation of transport fares from innocent commuters by drivers in this situation should end as soon as possible. Rules and Regulations governing the Agency should not be theoretical only, but implemented with necessary punishments on drivers, to curb the situation. Since commuters are constantly complaining of these hikes in fares by these drivers daily, at specific period of hours in a day.
She mentioned that, such attitudes obstruct the good governance of President Mahama, as many will not know that, the President is not involve in the increment of these fares, because it is evident at the fuel filling stations, on how fuel prices are falling and decreasing, daily.
Opinions from the public
It has also been ascertained that, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) for years now, treated rising fuel prices as its ultimate justification for increasing passenger fares, whenever fuel costs surge at the pump filling stations. GPRTU and its allies have not for once, hesitated not to increase fares when these things happens. However, now that fuel prices have seen a consistent and significant reduction, the Union has suddenly play deaf and dumb and changed its tune with the excuse that, fuel increment or reduction is not the only component determining transport fares but vehicle maintenance in terms of buying tools and materials are also considered.
This sudden tune change are making the public see it as utterly ridiculous, with also the current attitude of some trotro drivers now arbitrarily setting their own fares, especially during rush hours to further exploit commuters. They therefore, called on Ghana Police Service and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) to treat this matter as urgency. By arresting between 20 and 50 of these offending drivers, prosecute them to face the fullest extent or rigors of the law; where it will be ensured that these drivers are jailed based on their offences to serve as a strong deterrent to others. ”If we are really focused and committed in resetting Ghana, then Authorized State Institutions, must be willing to make and enforce stringent decisions to help its members”, said a National.