The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s transport sector into an integrated, efficient and resilient system capable of supporting sustainable economic growth.
According to the Minister, the government’s approach to transport development is not limited to the construction of individual infrastructure projects but is focused on establishing strong connections among the various modes of transportation to facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods across the country.
Mr. Nikpe made the statement when he addressed the 2026 Transport Sector Review Conference, held under the theme: “Financing and Delivery of Resilient Transport Infrastructure and Services: A Big Push for Sustainable Economic Transformation.”
He said Ghana’s transport infrastructure must be developed in a manner that allows road, rail, maritime, inland waterways and aviation services to complement one another.
The Transport Minister stressed that an efficient transport system is critical to economic transformation because it directly affects the movement of people, agricultural produce, raw materials and finished goods.
He said the government was therefore pursuing interventions designed to improve connectivity between the different modes of transport while strengthening the capacity of the sector to respond to the country’s growing transportation needs.
The integrated approach, he noted, would help reduce inefficiencies, improve mobility and create an enabling environment for businesses and other economic activities.
Highlighting developments in the railway sector, Mr. Nikpe pointed to the government’s efforts to revive railway services across the country.
He cited the acquisition of **two locomotives and 20 wagons** as part of measures to strengthen railway operations and support the expansion of rail freight services.
The Minister said the expansion of rail freight remained important to improving the movement of goods, particularly by providing an alternative to road transportation.
He indicated that efforts to revive and expand the railway network formed part of the broader strategy to establish a more balanced transport system in which the different modes work together.
The government is also pursuing interventions in the maritime sector, with the Minister highlighting the development of a new port at Akosombo as one of the major infrastructure initiatives.
The development is expected to contribute to the expansion of Ghana’s maritime and inland water transport capacity while improving opportunities for the movement of goods through alternative transport corridors.
Mr. Nikpe said investments in maritime infrastructure were necessary to strengthen the country’s logistics network and enhance the overall efficiency of the transport sector.
In the aviation sector, the Minister cited the repurposing of Terminal 2 and the acquisition of 3D scanners as key interventions aimed at improving airport operations and security.
The measures, he said, formed part of efforts to modernise airport facilities and enhance the efficiency of passenger processing and security procedures.
The government’s focus on aviation infrastructure, according to the Minister, is also intended to ensure that the country’s airports are positioned to support increasing passenger and economic activity.
Mr. Nikpe further highlighted interventions in the road transport sector, including the acquisition of new buses and the expansion of offices of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
He also pointed to the continued digitisation of driver licensing and vehicle registration services.
The digitisation drive is intended to make services more accessible, efficient and convenient for motorists while improving the overall delivery of public services within the road transport sector.
The expansion of DVLA offices, together with the introduction of digital services, is expected to help address challenges associated with access to licensing and vehicle registration services.
The Minister maintained that the various interventions should be viewed as components of a broader strategy to transform Ghana’s transport sector rather than as isolated projects.
He said a modern transport system must be capable of moving people and goods efficiently while providing reliable connections between communities, production centres, markets and economic hubs.
According to him, building such a system is essential to creating the conditions for a robust transport sector and supporting the government’s broader economic transformation agenda.
The 2026 Transport Sector Review Conference therefore provided a platform for stakeholders to assess developments within the sector, identify existing challenges and consider financing and delivery mechanisms for resilient transport infrastructure and services.
Mr. Nikpe reiterated the government’s determination to continue investing in the various modes of transportation while pursuing greater integration, efficiency and resilience across the sector.
He said the ultimate objective was to establish a transport system that supports economic activity, improves mobility and contributes meaningfully to Ghana’s sustainable development.
By 1960news.com
