We cannot keep expanding roads to address congestion – CSIR Deputy Director

Prof William Ackaah, Deputy Director of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has argued that Ghana cannot continue expanding road networks to address growing traffic congestion. Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, he suggested shifting focus to an efficient public transport system instead. Ackaah noted that 60% of passengers in Ghana use trotros, yet these vehicles occupy only 20% of road space.

In contrast, private cars carry 20% of passengers but use 60% of the road. This imbalance, driven by rising vehicle ownership and demand, will continue to strain the road network. Expanding roads further could become prohibitively expensive due to land and right-of-way acquisition costs. Ackaah proposed investing in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as a solution, emphasizing its ability to carry many more passengers in fewer vehicles compared to private cars.

BRT buses, capable of carrying fewer than 40 passengers, could replace hundreds of cars carrying just one or two occupants each. This shift would reduce traffic volume, pollution, and travel times while efficiently utilizing limited road space.