The Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Drivers Association, David Agboado, has called for the removal of the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, accusing him of poor leadership and mismanagement of Ghana’s transport sector, particularly in Accra and other major cities.
His comments come against the backdrop of worsening public transport conditions in the capital, where commuters are increasingly stranded during rush hours and forced to pay fares far above approved rates due to vehicle shortages.
Speaking in an interview with JoyNews, Mr Agboado said the Minister’s failure to engage transport unions and other key stakeholders has rendered his continued stay in office untenable.
“The government has to sit up and analyse the situation so that we can solve it amicably. But if I have to speak frankly, the Minister of Transport should not be at post again. The transport minister must go,” he stated.
Mr Agboado accused the Transport Minister of non-performance, arguing that his output falls far below that of other public officials managing key state institutions. He cited what he described as improved performance at the Gold Board, the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Ghana and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
“When you go to the Gold Board, the CEO is performing well. In the finance sector, Ato Forson is performing well. At the Bank of Ghana, the Governor is performing well. At the NPA, fuel prices have reduced from about 17 cedis to between 10 and 11 cedis,” he said. “So, what is the Transport Minister doing in his office?” he questioned.
The drivers’ association further criticized the Minister’s handling of transport shortages in November and December, when assurances were given that State Transport Company (STC) buses would be deployed to ease commuter hardship.
According to Mr Agboado, those promises have not translated into visible improvements on the roads.
“He said STC would be brought in to reduce the pressure. Have we seen the STC buses on the roads? Are people not still going through the same stress?” he asked.
Mr Agboado also accused the Minister of prioritizing the passage of the Okada Bill, which regulates commercial motorcycle operations, while neglecting broader structural challenges in the transport sector.
“What he has done creditably is to ensure the Okada Bill is passed. That is why some of us call him the ‘Okada Minister.’ But can Okada carry five people from Accra to Tema?” he asked.
Explaining the underlying causes of the current crisis, Mr Agboado attributed the situation to a significant reduction in the number of operational commercial vehicles, largely due to the high cost of spare parts.
He said between 45 and 50 per cent of commercial vehicles are currently off the roads because drivers and owners cannot afford essential components, despite relative stability in the cedi.
According to him, spare parts dealers have refused to adjust prices downward, leaving operators under severe financial strain.
“A back axle that used to cost GH¢5,000 now sells for between GH¢7,500 and GH¢8,000. A steering rack that was GH¢1,800 now costs GH¢2,500, yet we are told spare parts prices have reduced,” he said.
While acknowledging some reduction in tyre prices, Mr Agboado stressed that more critical and costly components, such as engines, axles and steering systems remain unaffordable.
He also pointed to the age of commercial vehicles as a compounding factor.
“Our vehicles are overaged. Some of them were registered as far back as 2012 and are still in use today. Once vehicles are overaged, the consequences are inevitable,” he explained.
Mr Agboado accused the Ministry of Transport and government communicators of failing to adequately represent and address the concerns of transport operators.
Meanwhile, commuters across Accra continue to express frustration over deteriorating transport conditions, citing long waiting times, severe overcrowding and rising fares, as pressure mounts on authorities to take decisive action to stabilise the sector.