Growing concerns have emerged over the management and use of key Aayalolo transport terminals in Accra, with urban transport stakeholders warning that developments at facilities established to support the city’s urban transport system could undermine efforts to improve public transportation and reduce congestion.
The concerns centre on the Kinbu Terminal in Accra’s Central Business District (CBD) and the reported demolition of the Achimota New Station Bus Terminal to make way for a proposed 24-hour market.
Both facilities were developed as part of Ghana’s Urban Transport Project with support from the World Bank, with the broader objective of establishing an efficient urban transport system and reducing the pressure on Accra’s congested city centre.
At the Kinbu Terminal, concerns have been raised over plans to construct stalls at a facility used by Aayalolo buses.
The development has reportedly generated tension among Aayalolo drivers, who fear that the construction could reduce the space available for parking and affect the operation of the service.
The latest development has raised questions about the long-term plans for the terminal and whether adequate consideration is being given to the operational needs of the Aayalolo service.
There are also concerns about the potential for conflict between commercial activities and the original purpose of the facility as part of an integrated urban transport system.
With the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, Micheal Kpakpo Allotey serving as Board Chairman of GAPTE, stakeholders are seeking clarity on the arrangements surrounding the terminal and the government’s broader plans for improving urban transportation.
Meanwhile, transport stakeholders have expressed concern over the reported demolition of the Achimota New Station Bus Terminal to pave the way for the construction of a 24-hour market.
The terminal was developed under Ghana’s Urban Transport Project with World Bank funding and was designed to serve as a major transport hub for vehicles travelling to and from the northern parts of the country.
Its strategic location was intended to prevent north-bound vehicles from entering the CBD before returning to their destinations, thereby helping to decongest central Accra, improve traffic flow and reduce the environmental impact associated with urban transportation.
Transport experts have questioned the decision to replace a transport facility with a market, arguing that such a move could undermine the original objective of developing an integrated public transportation system for the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area.
They say the development raises broader questions about the country’s commitment to preserving and expanding transport infrastructure as Accra continues to experience rapid urbanisation and increasing traffic congestion.
The concerns come amid renewed calls for greater government support for the Aayalolo BRT system, which was inaugurated in November 2016 under the Urban Transport Project.
Operated by GAPTE, an agency under the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Aayalolo was established to provide reliable, affordable and efficient intra-city transportation across the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area.
However, stakeholders say the service has struggled to reach its full potential due to inadequate operational and financial support.
They argue that while Aayalolo operates subsidised fares as a social intervention, the service continues to purchase fuel at commercial pump prices without sufficient direct government subsidy or budgetary support.
Stakeholders have also raised concerns over the gradual disappearance of dedicated BRT lanes, which has forced the system’s large buses to compete with regular traffic.
According to them, the loss of dedicated lanes has affected turnaround times, operational efficiency and the reliability of the service.
Transport stakeholders have further questioned the allocation of additional buses in response to previous transportation challenges.
Although government had announced plans to deploy more buses to ease pressure on public transportation, stakeholders contend that several of the buses were directed to inter-city operators, including Metro Mass Transit and the State Transport Company (STC), rather than GAPTE, which is responsible for intra-city BRT services.
They have also pointed to the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, which announced plans to procure additional buses but did not specifically include GAPTE among the beneficiaries.
The stakeholders are therefore calling on government to urgently strengthen GAPTE by providing additional buses, restoring dedicated BRT lanes and ensuring adequate financial support for the Aayalolo system.
They argue that protecting transport terminals and investing in the infrastructure required to operate an efficient BRT system should remain a priority if Accra is to address its growing congestion and mobility challenges.
With increased passenger traffic expected during the festive season, stakeholders are urging the government to act proactively to prevent a recurrence of the severe commuter difficulties experienced during last year’s December transport disruptions.
They maintain that Ghana’s investment in modern urban transport infrastructure will only yield the intended benefits if the facilities are protected, properly managed by and supported with the resources required to deliver reliable public transportation.
