•The 2024 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama says the next NDC government will prioritize initiatives targeted at enhancing the commercial transport industry in Ghana.
This shall include a Pensions Scheme for commercial drivers, dualization of major highways to improve safety, a lorry terminal policy that shall see construction of such facilities to be operated on revenue sharing basis, re-introduction of road tolls to raise additional revenue for repairs and revamping of the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, which shall be key in the operationalization of the 24-hr economy policy proposal.
“Road transport remains the biggest in the transport industry which includes aviation and marine. Unfortunately, we still have poor road network, which contributes to frequent breakdowns, discomfort and accidents. The next NDC government shall subsequently dualize major highways, small overhead bridges and bypasses to ease traffic” – he emphasized.
Mr Mahama, who was speaking during an engagement with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other sister unions, noted with concern the neglect over the years, which among other has made the industry unattractive to investors.
He promised to introduce what he described as a special lorry terminal policy, which shall involve the construction of such facilities on revenue sharing basis to improve their working environment.
“Our plan is to engage Neoplan, a German automotive company to build an assembly plant in Ghana and sell in cedis for affordability.
“We shall also institute a Drivers Day, a special day to celebrate commercial drivers for their contribution towards national development. This shall include best driver awards at district, regional and national levels’ – former President Mahama assured.
