The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development (MLGDRD) organized a one-day workshop on Public Transport Planning and Regulation for Metropolitan and Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs), Coordinating Directors, and department heads under the Ghana Urban Mobility and Accessibility Project (GUMAP). The event, held at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), aimed to address mobility challenges in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA).
As part of the broader GUMAP initiative, which focuses on enhancing accessibility and mobility in GAMA, the workshop addressed issues such as traffic congestion, parking, and public transport management. The participants, including MCEs and key stakeholders, sought to build their capacity in urban mobility to better navigate and contribute to the implementation process at the district level.
Facilitator Hon. Dennis Aboagye outlined the project's short-term plan, emphasizing the restructuring of the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), deploying buses on operational corridors, and providing financial support within the first six months. The medium-term plan involves increased funding, the initiation of urban mobility development and design, and collaboration between ministries and agencies.
Highlighting the significance of collaboration, Hon. Aboagye stressed, "For a successful attempt to sanitize the GAMA in terms of urban mobility, there is the need for effective collaboration between the ministries and agencies."
Mr. Samuel Seth Passah, a director at MLGDRD, emphasized the positive impact of mobility planning on revenue generation for an improved Accra and Ghana at large. The workshop, part of ongoing efforts to find lasting solutions to urban mobility concerns, focused on practical strategies and collaboration as key elements in achieving sustainable progress.
The MLGDRD's commitment to addressing mobility challenges reflects a broader initiative to create lasting solutions and enhance the overall urban experience in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area.