Government is tightening oversight of trade and transport operations as part of President Mahama’s broader economic reset agenda, Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has said.
At the Government Accountability Series held on January 14 at Jubilee House, Mr Ofosu disclosed that sector ministers would, from next week, brief the public on reforms aimed at improving market efficiency, easing commuter hardship and strengthening domestic trade.
“The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Honourable Elizabeth Ofosu Agyare, will be here next week,” he announced, noting that the Local Government Minister would also provide updates on related interventions.
Touching on transport challenges, Mr Ofosu said government had identified rent-seeking practices by some private transport operators as a key cause of recent congestion and fare disputes, despite fuel price reductions.
“There are some operators who are creating artificial scarcity to drive up prices so that they can engage in rent-seeking behaviour,” he said, describing the practice as unlawful and exploitative.
He explained that although transport in Ghana is largely private sector–driven, government had stepped in to protect commuters. The Transport Minister, he said, had directed the State Transport Company (STC) to deploy additional buses to supplement private operators.
“That intervention largely worked and eased the situation significantly,” Mr Ofosu said, adding that STC buses had again been ordered onto the roads following renewed congestion after the festive season.
He further revealed that broken-down Metro Mass Transit buses were undergoing expedited repairs and would temporarily operate outside their normal routes to ease pressure on busy corridors.
On trade policy, the minister said upcoming briefings would outline measures to support agribusiness, stabilize supply chains and improve market access. “This ties in with the overall objective of the President, who has vowed to reset our country,” he said.
Mr Ofosu stressed that while government would continue to play a supportive role, private sector actors must “play by the rules” to ensure fair pricing and reliable services for the public.
