Urban transport in Ghana continues to face mounting pressure as private vehicles take over the roads. According to Dr Benedict Arkhurst, a Spatial and Land Use Planner, private cars account for a staggering 62 percent of all road users, a trend he believes is worsening congestion in cities.
He explained that while most commuters rely on private vehicles, other transport options play a much smaller role in Ghana’s mobility system. “If you look at the road usage in terms of our arterial road system, 62% of users use their cars, then we have the trotro making about 15%, we have the bus system about 5% and the taxis also about 2.3%,” he revealed.
The expert cautioned that this overreliance on private cars is unsustainable and called for urgent reforms in urban planning. He urged the government and stakeholders to prioritize policies that encourage sustainable transport options, which can ease the burden on the road network and cut down travel delays.
Dr Arkhurst further stressed the importance of creating a system that convinces people to leave their cars behind. “If you come out with an integrated transport system where it is attractive, everybody will pack his or her car because you can get to your destination within a short space of your time,” he suggested.
He concluded by highlighting the need for investments in efficient public transport, stricter enforcement of planning regulations, and the expansion of shared transport systems. According to him, such measures will not only reduce congestion but also ensure smoother and safer mobility for commuters in Ghana’s growing urban centers.
