The Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Techiman South Constituency in the Bono East Region, has underscored the importance of a unified approach in tackling the urban mobility and accessibility issues plaguing the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA).
Speaking at the closing event of the Ghana Urban Mobility and Accessibility Project (GUMAP) at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on July 2, 2024, the Minister highlighted the significant urbanization and population growth in GAMA, which have placed immense pressure on transportation infrastructure and services. He pointed out that congestion, air pollution, and inefficiencies in public transport demand urgent and collective action.
“The Ministry has collaborated with various partners to formulate policies, devise strategies, and design programs aimed at improving urban mobility and accessibility. However, addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders, including other ministries, departments, agencies, development partners, the private sector, and citizens,” Mr. Adjei-Mensah Korsah stated.
The Minister outlined key achievements of the GUMAP, a $6 million grant from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
These included household travel surveys, public transport route and passenger flow mapping, and the introduction of new courses at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). According to the Minister, these efforts are foundational steps towards a more sustainable urban transportation system.
Additionally, Mr. Adjei-Mensah Korsah revealed plans for small-scale pilot safety improvement measures at six critical junctions within the beneficiary Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies. These improvements aim to enhance road safety for all users and test the applicability of the project’s findings.
Despite the progress made, the Minister acknowledged that the project has not resolved all the urban mobility and accessibility issues in GAMA.
Meanwhile, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, expressed his dismay over the inactivity of some Municipal and District Assemblies in the region, which he believes perpetuates indiscipline and indiscriminate building, leading to the proliferation of slums. He urged the assemblies to address these challenges, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
“All sleeping Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs) should awake, there’s so much work to be done!” Mr. Titus-Glover charged.
