Accra, Oct. 23. Mr Joseph Bukari Nape, Minister of Transport, has announced bold plans to revamp Ghana‘s urban mobility system through investment in smart and resilient infrastructure, designed to ease congestion, improve public transport, and promote sustainable cities in response to rapid population growth.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the maiden Ghana Transport and Logistics Fair (GTLF) 2025 in Accra on Wednesday, Mr Nape said the initiative would prioritise inclusivity by creating meaningful opportunities for young people, women, and persons with disabilities to actively participate in the transport economy.
He said: “Excellency, our vision goes beyond mere implemental change. It demands bold reforms and prioritises efficiency, safety, and sustainability across all modes of transport — road, rail, maritime, innovation, and the emerging digital mobility platforms.”
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The three-day event, held under the theme “Resetting the Transport Sector for Connectivity, Innovation and Investment,” was attended by President John Dramani Mahama as the Guest of Honour. It was organised by the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with Digital Eye to showcase innovation and attract investment across the transport and logistics ecosystem.
Mr Nape described the fair as a reflection of the government’s commitment to progress, innovation, and inclusivity, noting that it would help redefine Ghana’s transport and logistics landscape.
He highlighted several ongoing and planned projects, including the expansion and modernisation of the Kotoka International Airport, featuring the repurposing of Terminal Two and the construction of a new air traffic control tower to improve safety.
In the aviation sector, he said, the runway at Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi was being extended to accommodate medium-sized aircraft, while new advanced passenger information and passenger name record systems had been introduced to enhance security at all airports.
On maritime transport, Mr Nape disclosed that the rehabilitation of the Tema Harbour breakwater was underway to enhance vessel safety and operational efficiency. He added that the Ghana Shippers Authority was working to reduce port business costs through stronger regulation of shipping services, while feasibility studies were planned for coastal water transport to complement road networks.
For road and public transport, the Minister announced efforts to renew and expand the fleets of the Metro Mass Transit Limited and Intercity STC Coaches Limited, including the introduction of electric buses and the development of charging infrastructure to support the transition to cleaner energy.
He further revealed that the review of the Road Safety Traffic Act (2004) and its accompanying Regulations (2012) was ongoing to create a framework that promoted road safety, supported the regulated use of motorcycles and tricycles for passenger services, and generated jobs for the youth.
In the rail sector, Mr. Nape said work had resumed on the Western Rail Line, while services had also commenced on the Tema–Nkpakadan Line, which would soon be scaled up with new port infrastructure at the Volta Lake to facilitate intermodal transport.
“These interventions are supported by strategic public-private partnerships aimed at positioning Ghana as the preferred transport and logistics hub within the West African sub-region under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” he said.
Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and Chairman of the event, underscored the pivotal role of transportation in driving trade and development.
“Transportation is what allows people and goods to move — and therefore what allows trade and development to spread across the entire country and, hopefully, across the continent of Africa,” he remarked.
