Mahama Ayariga plans light rail for four Accra commuter routes

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has announced government plans to introduce a light rail network in Accra to address the city's persistent traffic congestion. The proposed project will span four major commuter routes and is intended to provide a permanent, sustainable solution to the capital's transportation challenges. President John Dramani Mahama has specifically instructed the Minister to initiate formal discussions with relevant authorities to move the project forward.

The new rail system is designed to replace the current Aayalolo bus contra-flow system, which has been used as a temporary measure to improve travel times. While the contra-flow arrangement—allowing buses to move against the standard flow of traffic during peak periods—has provided some relief, it remains limited by its dependence on existing road infrastructure. According to Minister Ayariga, the President views the transition to a light rail network as a necessary evolution toward a more reliable and efficient mass transit alternative.

By focusing on rail-based transportation, the administration aims to significantly increase the capacity of the city's public transport network. The light rail system is expected to offer a more sustainable long-term solution than current road-based commuting methods, which are frequently hampered by the city's growing vehicle population. The initiative represents a strategic shift toward modernizing urban infrastructure to better serve the high volume of daily commuters in the Greater Accra Region.

Moving forward, the Ministry will engage with technical stakeholders and relevant transport agencies to finalize the specifics of the four designated routes and establish the project's operational framework. This project is a key component of the government's broader infrastructure agenda, aimed at improving the ease of movement and economic productivity within the nation's capital by drastically reducing travel times for workers and residents.