As Ghana continues to grapple with worsening traffic congestion and urban mobility challenges, the National Development Planning Commission’s (NDPC) Transport Infrastructure Framework (2018–2047) points to a decisive role for local government in addressing the crisis.
The long-term plan, which forms part of the broader Ghana Infrastructure Plan (GIP), highlights persistent gaps in urban transport infrastructure and calls for stronger decentralised action to improve traffic management, road networks and public transport systems across the country’s rapidly growing cities.
These concerns were echoed during a discussion on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, January 14, where Citi FM and Channel One TV Managing Director Samuel Attah-Mensah argued that Ghana’s transport problems cannot be solved simply by supplying more buses.
He stressed that deep inequalities in vehicle ownership mean the majority of low-income residents depend on public transport, yet lack access to basic infrastructure such as proper roads, bus terminals and organised trotro stations.
He noted that Ghana already has a long-term transport roadmap under the NDPC’s 2018–2047 framework, describing transport infrastructure as a clear national priority that has suffered from weak implementation, particularly at the local level.
Programme host Bernard Avle also called for urban mobility to be placed at the centre of public discourse and urged local government institutions to take greater responsibility for managing transport systems.
Local Government at the Heart of Urban Transport Management
According to the NDPC framework and Ghana’s decentralisation laws, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are expected to play front-line roles in urban transport planning and implementation.
Under the supervision of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), MMDAs are responsible for local development, including municipal roads, traffic management, spatial planning and basic urban infrastructure—key components of effective urban mobility.
This position aligns with comments by the Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (IMCC) on Decentralisation, Dr Gameli Hoedoafia, who stated that transport challenges are primarily district-level responsibilities.
While central government sets policy through the Ministry of Transport, he explained that implementation lies with local authorities already empowered by law to act.
Challenges: Financing and Capacity Constraints
Despite these clearly defined roles, the NDPC framework identifies significant barriers limiting local government effectiveness.
Limited internally generated funds (IGF) continue to constrain MMDAs’ ability to finance transport infrastructure. Most assemblies rely heavily on the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) and donor support, which are often insufficient to meet growing urban transport demands.
Capacity gaps—particularly in technical planning, project prioritisation and structuring public–private partnerships—have further slowed the delivery of transport projects. Weak data systems, poor coordination between national and local institutions, and inconsistent enforcement of spatial plans also undermine efficiency.
These challenges are compounded by the scale of investment required. Ghana’s infrastructure plan estimates that tens of billions of dollars will be needed over the next three decades to modernise transport networks, much of which must come from innovative financing and private sector participation rather than traditional public funding.
The Way Forward: Strengthening Decentralised Action
To close these gaps, the NDPC framework and policy stakeholders propose a multi-pronged approach:
Capacity Building: Strengthening technical support to MMDAs in urban transport planning, project management and financing.
Integrated Local Planning: Mainstreaming transport and spatial planning into medium-term development plans to reduce congestion and manage urban growth.
Fiscal Decentralisation: Enhancing IGF mobilisation and fiscal autonomy to reduce overreliance on central government transfers.
Public–Private Partnerships: Supporting local authorities to leverage private finance for urban mobility solutions such as mass transit systems and traffic management infrastructure.
Conclusion: Shared Responsibility, Local Leadership
The NDPC framework makes clear that while national policy direction and financing remain important, the transformation of Ghana’s urban transport system ultimately depends on effective decentralised action.
As urban populations expand, local governments are positioned to deliver more responsive and context-specific transport solutions. However, this will require stronger financial tools, improved technical capacity and sustained coordination between central government and local authorities to turn long-term plans into tangible outcomes.
