{
  "id": 3961808,
  "title": "Ghana has the expertise for BRT, what’s missing is political will – CSIR",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/ghana-has-the-expertise-for-brt-whats-missing-is-political-will-csir",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T12:03:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/ghana-has-the-expertise-for-brt-whats-missing-is-political-will-csir/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana has the technical expertise and studies necessary to develop an effective Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in its major cities, according to Prof William Ackaah, Deputy Director of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). However, the key issue is the lack of political will to implement these plans. The country has been relying on transportation master plans for Accra and Kumasi, some of which are over two decades old, but has not yet fully implemented the recommended solutions. Ackaah emphasized that the main obstacle is political commitment, rather than a lack of technical know-how. He dismissed the notion that Ghana needed further feasibility studies to determine the necessity of BRT, arguing that strong political leadership is required to invest in the infrastructure. Ackaah identified the Ministry of Transport as a crucial player in delivering a well-planned, funded, and implemented BRT system, but stressed the importance of coordination among various institutions, including the Ministry of Roads and Highways, local government authorities, and district assemblies. He criticized the practice of restarting transport projects every time there is a change in government, which wastes time and resources. Ackaah warned that continued delays could result in significant challenges as Accra and other urban centers continue to expand and vehicle ownership increases. He stressed that Ghana cannot continue relying on vehicles with low passenger capacity to meet the transport needs of rapidly growing cities.",
  "summary": "Deputy Director of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Prof William Ackaah, has said that Ghana has enough technical studies and expertise to develop an efficient Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in its major cities, but what is lacking is the political will to implement the plans.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Political priorities, lack of continuity holding back Ghana’s public transport plans – Dr Arkhurst",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/political-priorities-lack-of-continuity-holding-back-ghanas-public",
        "published": "2026-08-28T11:46:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}