Think Outside The Box And Make Our Roads Safer -Dwomoh Sarpong
Public commentator and environmental advocate, Nana Dwomoh Sarpong, has called on policymakers to fundamentally rethink Ghana’s transport management system to make the country’s roads safer and more efficient. He expressed concern about the growing disorder on Ghana’s roads, particularly the combination of congestion, inadequate road infrastructure, road encroachment and the increasing…
Nana Dwomoh Sarpong, a public commentator and environmental advocate, has urged Ghanaian policymakers to rethink the country's transport management system in order to enhance road safety and efficiency. He expressed worry over the current state of Ghana's roads, citing congestion, insufficient infrastructure, encroachment, and the growing interaction among various road users as major issues.
In response to recent fatal accidents, Sarpong emphasized the need for urgent, comprehensive measures to address the weaknesses in Ghana's transport system. He pointed out poor road infrastructure, severe traffic congestion, and the unsafe coexistence of smaller vehicles like motorcycles and tricycles (known locally as Aboboyaa and Pragya) on major roads as areas requiring immediate attention.
Regarding the management of motorcycles and tricycles, Sarpong questioned the current handling of these smaller or slower vehicles, which are often in competition for space with high-speed traffic on main routes. He suggested that Ghana could draw inspiration from other nations that regulate the movement of such vehicles, potentially establishing designated routes or lanes for them where appropriate.
Sarpong also highlighted the lack of a robust rail and mass-transit system in Ghana as a significant challenge. He argued that the absence of an efficient and integrated public transportation system forces many commuters to rely heavily on road transport, leading to prolonged traffic congestion and adding strain to existing roads.
The commentator emphasized the necessity of transitioning from merely constructing more roads to developing a coordinated transport system that integrates rail, buses, road networks, and other forms of public transportation. Another concern of Sarpong's was the encroachment on road reserves and rights-of-way, which includes buildings and commercial activities situated too close to roads.
This encroachment can reduce road capacity, cause traffic bottlenecks, and increase costs for future road expansion and rehabilitation, particularly when the government is obligated to compensate affected property owners. He advocated for stricter enforcement of planning regulations and improved protection of road reserves to prevent the situation from worsening.
Sarpong also queried the effectiveness of merely increasing the number of smaller vehicles on the roads in resolving Ghana's transportation issues. While noting that smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles can help lower fuel consumption and emissions, he stressed that changes in vehicle size must be part of a broader transport strategy.
He encouraged drivers of excessively large and fuel-intensive vehicles to consider more fuel-efficient alternatives where feasible. However, he stressed that mass public transportation, improved traffic management, and better urban planning are crucial for tackling congestion. Sarpong urged the government and other stakeholders to abandon piecemeal solutions and instead develop a long-term, integrated transport policy that prioritizes road safety, efficient public transportation, proper land-use planning, effective enforcement, and sustainable mobility.
He called for a fundamental rethinking of Ghana's transport system to create safer roads and a more efficient transportation network for all Ghanaians.
Written by urgent.news from The Chronicle Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
