Commuting in Ghana’s major urban centres has, in recent weeks, deteriorated into a relentless daily struggle. For many residents of Accra and beyond, peak hours have become a draining contest of endurance, where only the most persistent manage to secure a ride to work or back home.
From the early hours of the morning to the close of business, bus stops and lorry stations are scenes of frustration and anxiety. Workers, traders, and students stretch out their hands in vain as packed tro-tros and buses speed past without slowing. Journeys that once took minutes now consume hours, forcing commuters to endure long waits, multiple transfers, and the financial strain of paying two or three fares for what used to be a single trip.
CUTS International Accra insists this crisis did not emerge overnight. In its assessment, the current chaos is the legacy of years of weak policymaking, the abandonment of structured public transport systems, ineffective regulation, and route allocations largely dictated by transport unions rather than strategic urban planning.
In a statement on the worsening situation, the consumer advocacy and public policy think tank stressed that lasting solutions demand a clear understanding of how the problem evolved. While the introduction of new buses may offer momentary relief, CUTS cautions that such measures will fall short without deep, systemic reforms.
Unless Ghana undertakes a comprehensive reset of its transport governance and enforcement frameworks, CUTS warns the daily hardship faced by commuters in Accra could soon become a nationwide reality, entrenching congestion, inefficiency, and commuter distress across the country.