Accra is grappling with a severe transportation crisis that has left thousands of commuters stranded daily at major terminals, sparking widespread public outrage and renewed calls for urgent state intervention.
Across key transport hubs including Madina, Amasaman, Kasoa and Circle, hundreds of workers, students and traders are forced to wait for hours, often until late evening, before securing a vehicle home. The situation has been described by commuters as “chaotic,” “inhumane,” and increasingly dangerous, particularly for women and children.
At many terminals, demand for public transport has far outstripped supply. With only a handful of trotros (minibuses) operating during peak hours, desperate passengers have resorted to pushing, shoving and even climbing through vehicle windows to secure seats.
“It’s like a daily battle,” said a commuter at the Madina station. “If you’re not aggressive, you won’t get home on time—sometimes not at all.”
Government officials and transport observers have accused some private transport operators of deliberately reducing the number of vehicles on the road during rush hours. According to these claims, the alleged artificial scarcity is being used to justify charging fares far above approved rates.
Passengers report being forced to pay what they describe as “astronomical” and “unlawful” fares, often several times higher than those set by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU)
“Drivers are extorting us because they know we have no alternative,” a student commuter at Circle complained. “You either pay or sleep at the station.”
Compounding public frustration is the continued grounding of hundreds of state-owned buses, including the Aayalolo fleet, which many believe could significantly ease the pressure if deployed.
The crisis has also raised serious security concerns. Women in particular have reported incidents of robbery and harassment at stations such as Achimota, especially in the evenings while waiting for connecting vehicles after completing the first leg of their journeys.