Road Transport Governance, Travel Planning and Mobility in Greater Accra Metropolitan Area of Ghana

Abstract

The use of car is both necessary but devastating. The search for solutions has been skewed in favour of motorization. This study explored governance as a tool to balance the trade-offs between indispensable motorization and sustainable urban mobility. The respondents for this study were policy makers from the transport sector agencies, ministries and departments in Ghana, as well as formal and informal transport service providers. The research design was mixed method, largely qualitative with minimal quantitative research instruments. Some qualitative research instruments used were interview, focus group discussions and observations. The quantitative data was obtained through a manual number plate matching technique to physically collect speeds of vehicles in GAMA during rush hours. The study concludes that the triple function of GAMA strangulate planning capacities of the Local Authority. Again, conventional road construction designs do not promote mobility, leaving GAMA with low Time Mean Speed of 1.05 km/h. To address these mobility problems in GAMA, the study recommends, government must earmark a percentage of the road fund contribution to the assemblies to empower the local authorities in their planning capacities. Again, government must amend its approaches to road transport development in GAMA by harnessing means of accessibility and also, promote application of modern intelligent transport systems in traffic management. These would help manage the prevailing recurrent traffic congestion in GAMA particularly during peak periods for improved turn-around time of commuters.