Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the Minister of Transport, introduced “TransportGhana” to digitize and automate the operations and regulations of road transport services in the country.
The project focuses on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of commercial road transport services in the country. Its goal is to reduce road traffic casualties by at least 50% by the year 2030.
Launched in Accra, the project introduced NRSA operational uniforms and showcased “TransportGhana.” It aims to simplify the registration, licensing, and permitting processes for road transport operators, enabling road users to make informed choices about transport services through a portal or mobile app.
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Ministry of Transport have initiated this project in collaboration with various private sector entities. These include Transport for Ghana Limited, UCL Ghana Limited, Road Safety Management Services Limited, and Nacasky Company Limited.
The term “TransportGhana” denotes the shift of commercial road transport services from manual to technological processes, emphasizing the automation and digitalization of these services. This initiative is in harmony with the country’s road safety management and the government’s overarching policy to digitize every sector of the national economy.
It encompasses eight features, such as e-registration and licensing for transport operations, electronic ticketing with cashless systems, departure control, roadside assistance (i-locator), e-driver training monitoring, e-passenger manifest, e-vehicle tracking, citizen reporting, and road safety watch.
The minister emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration and partnerships to unlock the project’s full potential, aiming to establish a secure, efficient, and sustainable transport system. He urged the NRSA and its collaborators to update systems robustly, safeguarding them from cybersecurity threats and ensuring the protection of data and privacy for individuals and operators.
Encouraging the NRSA and its partners, the minister stressed the importance of updating systems to endure over time. He emphasized the need to protect against potential cybersecurity threats and ensure the safeguarding of data and privacy for individuals and operators. The project, he highlighted, aligns with the government’s digitalization policy across sectors and commitment to inclusive, sustainable efforts to meet climate goals.
Mr. Asiamah called on transport operators to ensure departing vehicles from terminals are in optimal condition. He appealed to media outlets to raise public awareness, influencing road safety and reducing accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Mr. Asiamah urged passengers to stay vigilant and speak out against speeding, improper overtaking, and inconsiderate driving.
It is crucial to consistently emphasize the hazards of speeding, the advantages of wearing seatbelts and suitable helmets, the risks of driving on road shoulders, and the perils of driving while fatigued, intoxicated, or using a phone,” he emphasized.
Regarding benefits, David Osofo Adonteng, the Acting Director-General of NSRA, highlighted that automating and digitizing transport services will guarantee the safety, security, and comfort of passengers while also reducing transport costs.
He mentioned that the initiative aims to regulate road space effectively, managing traffic crashes and diminishing the annual toll of 2000 deaths.
He expressed that it would enhance passengers’ confidence and trust in the transportation industry, leading to improvements in the economy.
Regarding passenger transport, Richard Yaw Amankwah, the Deputy General Secretary of Operations of Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), noted that while certain logistic companies utilized digital technologies for seamless information and logistics flow, passenger transport still depended on manual routines. He highlighted that this reliance presented