The Director of Policy Planning at the Ministry of Transportation, Eric Tetteh Addison, has called for a more coordinated approach to Ghana’s transport development, warning that fragmented planning continues to slow national progress.
Speaking at the Graphic–Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Mr. Addison outlined what he described as the three core elements of a functioning transport system: infrastructure, the vehicles that operate within it, and the goods or passengers they carry.
He explained that transport is not an end in itself but a service that supports access to jobs, education, healthcare, and trade. For that reason, he stressed that land use planning must be closely aligned with transport development to avoid long-term mobility challenges.
According to him, the absence of a unified national policy direction has led to sectoral fragmentation, with different ministries overseeing rail, aviation, and roads often focusing on their individual priorities instead of building an interconnected system.
“Transport should be complementary, not competitive,” he emphasized.
Mr. Addison revealed that the Ministry is currently reviewing certain regulations within the sector and indicated that the impact of those reforms will soon be visible.
He maintained that policy discussions alone are not enough to transform the sector.
“Transport policy only makes a real difference when it moves from paper to pavement,” he said, adding that practical implementation is key to improving mobility and stimulating economic activity.
Prof. Enoch F. Sam has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Ghana’s transport system, warning that overreliance on roads is limiting efficiency and exposing commuters and businesses to unnecessary risks.
He emphasized the need to integrate underutilized modes of transport, including rail, alongside road networks.
“We focus heavily on road transport, often neglecting other options. Rail and alternative systems should also be part of our strategy to maximize efficiency and safety,”
An Associate Professor at the University of Education Winneba Prof. Sam said, noting that transporting goods exclusively by road, especially hazardous materials, creates avoidable risks.
