THE EFFECT OF POPULATION GROWTH ON TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN GHANA (ACCRA).

 BY: EMMANUELLA KORANKYE FRIMPONG.

The reality of traffic congestion on Ghana's road.

The  traffic congestion in Ghana (Accra) is a daily occurrence in many cities throughout the world ,and is getting from bad to worse by passing each year especially during morning and evening peak hours, which are normally between 0730-0939hr and 1630-1830hrs respectively. This is because the rapid population in Accra has led to a surge traffic congestion, causing frustration and gridlock on the roads. According to the Ghana Statistical service , the population of Ghana (Accra) has grown over 30% in the past five years ,with sign of slowing down. This rapid growth has resulted in an increase number of vehicles on the road, leading to congestion and chaos.

The consequences of traffic congestion in Accra ripple across various aspects of daily Economically, the significant time wasted in traffic translates to substantial productivity losses. Companies faced delays in the delivery of goods and services, and employees arriving late to will threaten profitability, hindering economic Furthermore, traffic congestion negatively impacts the well being of individuals and the environmental. Longer commuting times and exposure to pollution   harm the physical and mental health of Excessive emission of greenhouse gases and pollutants from exhaust fumes contribute to climate change and air pollution, further worsening overall environmental degradation.

Additionally ,the high urban population growth rate of 4.2% continue to worsen  the situation coupled with increasing  growth in vehicles ownership. As household income rises ,more Ghanaian's opt for private cars due to limited reach, reliability, efficiency, and quality. further straining the road network. Moreover, traffic congestion is not only caused by population growth but also inability of the capacity of road network to cope with the volume of vehicular  traffic using it. The other causes include road closure, roads work and traffic accidents , which reduces the effective width carriageway and have long term effect on the road network.

This poses a threat to Ghana’s progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Goal 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Addressing traffic congestion in Accra necessitates a multifaceted approach that focuses on improving both road infrastructure and public transportation services while promoting sustainable alternatives. Investment in expanding and upgrading road networks by the government is vita.

The construction of new lanes, overpasses, and flyovers can increase road capacity and alleviate bottlenecks. furthermore, maintaining and repairing existing roads is essential to ensure smoother traffic flow. Priortozing the development of an effective and reliable public transportation system is imperative. Also investing in the expansion of bus lanes, and integration dedicated bus lanes, and integrating different modes of  public transport, such as buses and trains, can encourage citizens to shift away from private Additionally , introducing incentives for carpooling schemes or establishing carpooling lanes can help alleviate congestion and reduce individual vehicle usage.

Lastly, to enforce traffic regulations effectively, improving traffic management and police presence is Raising awareness about the consequences of traffic violations, reducing corruption within law enforcement agencies, and implementing strict penalties for traffic offense are essential steps towards restoring order on the roads.

The issue of traffic congestion in Accra demands urgent attention and collective efforts from both the government and citizens. By investing in sustainable transportation solutions, including improving road infrastructure and public transport systems, Accra can move towards a more efficient, environmentally friendly ,and less congested city.