Stakeholders discuss Transport Master Plan for Accra

By Samira Larbie, GNA
Accra, Sept. 1, GNA - The Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the Korean Government has held a stakeholder workshop in Accra, to discuss the final draft report of the Transport Master Plan for implementation.

The Master Plan of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) would set the direction for transportation for the next 20 years bringing together all modes of transportation into an integrated urban transport system.

Mr Fiifi Kwetey, the Minister of Transport in a speech read on his behalf said he has observed traffic congestion on almost all arterial routes leading to the central business district during peak hours.

He said accessibility within the urban core itself has become a major challenge as the country is experiencing rapid urbanisation, demographic and economic growth, hence the need for the plan to help protect against these transportation hazards.

Citing Korea and Singapore as having faced similar challenges, the Minister explained that the plan would address issues of concern to government, motorists and the public by considering a range of issues to improve the sector.

Mr Kwetey said to this end, the ports, airports, railway master plans, master plan for transportation on the Volta Lake as well as plan for the Kumasi Metropolitan Area have all been developed for better systems.

'We intend to develop a Multi Modal Transport master plan, which would consolidate all the various modal plans so that we adopt a coherent approach and ensure synergies in the development of our transport systems'.

This he said would help ensure sustainability and consistency of the region's transport system.

The Minister expressed gratitude to Korea for providing the country with funding and technical expertise throughout the project.

He urged stakeholders to ensure that the master plan addresses the need of all transport users.

Mr Lyeo Woon-Ki, the Korean Ambassador, attributed the challenges to poor and uncoordinated planning of urban transportation system of GAMA.

He said inadequate development of inter-modal facilities, inappropriate relationship between land-use and transports planning as well as disregard for regulation have partly contributed to the current traffic situation within the Greater Region.

He called for the strict adherence an implementation of the recommendations contained in the master plan on measures and strategies for improved urban transport system.

Mr Lyeo expressed Korea's commitment to the continuous support of its Ghanaian counterpart.

Mr Sang-sup Park, the Project Management Consultant expressed the hope that the project when successfully implemented, would transform Ghana's transport system in the capital.

The project would cover the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area comprising Ga South, Ga West, Ga East, Ga Central, Adentan, Ashaiman, Tema, Ledzokuku Krowor, La Dadekotopon, La Nkwantanang, Madina and Kpone Katamanso areas. GNA