Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, the Nigerian President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), has urged Ghana to embrace Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for its transport infrastructure development. He stated that private sector involvement is crucial for creating a sustainable transport system in Ghana.
Dr. Oyeyemi made this call at the opening of the 2026 Logistics and Transport Conference and Annual General Meeting of the CILT. The event is currently underway in Fiapre, near Sunyani, bringing together key stakeholders. The conference theme focuses on "Transforming Ghana’s transport infrastructure for inclusive and sustainable growth."
This push for PPP aligns with Ghana's ongoing efforts to modernize its infrastructure and stimulate economic activity. The country faces significant infrastructure deficits, particularly in its road network. Leveraging private capital and expertise through PPPs could accelerate project completion and improve service quality. Ghana has previously explored PPP models in various sectors, including energy and ports, with mixed success.
Dr. Oyeyemi highlighted the substantial contributions of the private sector in advancing road infrastructure development. He noted that private contributions are enormous in highways, inland transport, railways, and marine sectors. He specifically mentioned Nigeria's success, stating that incorporating the private sector into national development plans has been a "game changer approach" there. This approach has effectively reduced the financial burden on the Nigerian government for infrastructure projects.
He further encouraged Ghana to promote private sector investments in public transport, including buses. Dr. Oyeyemi explained that PPP implementation helps address issues of shoddy work in government projects. He asserted that PPPs facilitate accelerated growth, as private investors have sufficient time to monitor quality work and ensure project completion. He even suggested that the government could partner with the private sector for concrete road construction, which offers greater durability.
The conference discussions will cover critical areas such as urban transportation, traffic congestion management, and inclusive transport systems for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Participants will also deliberate on the implementation of the new vehicle registration number plates system. Energy conservation and the adoption of electric vehicles are also on the agenda, reflecting global trends in sustainable transport.
Stakeholders from the aviation and transport sectors are attending the conference. Personnel from the Driver and Vehicles Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) are also present. Representatives from the energy and logistics sectors contribute to the diverse discussions.
In a related development, Mr. Abraham Amaliba, the Director General of the NRSA, called for investments in vehicle towing businesses. He announced that from 2027, the NRSA will implement a mandatory vehicle towing system nationwide. All towing companies must register with the NRSA for recognition and regulation of their activities. Mr. Amaliba confirmed that the Authority would soon conduct a nationwide public sensitization exercise on this new towing system. This initiative aims to improve road safety and traffic flow across the country.