Mahama Orders Road Markings for Accra Contraflow Lanes to Tackle Capital's Traffic Crisis

President John Mahama has directed Roads and Highways Minister Governs Kwame Agbodza to identify and clearly mark designated contraflow lanes on major roads across Accra, as part of a broader push to bring order to the capital's notoriously congested traffic corridors. The directive signals a more structured approach to an arrangement that has long operated without clear visual guidance for road users.

What was announced and why

Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister Mahama Ayariga revealed the presidential directive during an appearance on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, explaining that proper road markings will inform motorists exactly which lanes are reserved for contraflow bus operations — and during which hours those lanes will be active.

"He directed the Roads Minister to make provisions in the new reconstructions that are taking place. Proper marking of the contraflow sides so that the public is aware that that side of the road, during certain peak hours, will be available for buses that will be moving in the opposite direction," Ayariga stated.

The markings are specifically intended to protect lanes used by the Ayalolo Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, which operates along certain corridors in the opposite direction of regular traffic during peak commuting periods. Without clearly painted lanes, the system has at times led to confusion among drivers, creating the very bottlenecks it was designed to relieve.

Why it matters for Ghana

Accra's traffic congestion is one of the most persistent quality-of-life challenges facing residents of the Greater Accra Region. Commuters frequently spend hours in gridlock during morning and evening rush hours, affecting worker productivity, fuel consumption, air quality, and overall economic output in the city.

The contraflow system, when properly implemented, allows buses carrying large numbers of passengers to move efficiently against the direction of heavier private vehicle traffic — effectively giving mass transit a dedicated, faster route. The key problem has always been enforcement and clarity: without visible road markings, private vehicle drivers often encroach on these lanes, negating the system's benefits.

By embedding the markings into ongoing road reconstruction projects, the government aims to make the contraflow infrastructure a permanent, recognisable feature of Accra's road network rather than an improvised arrangement. This could meaningfully improve journey times for the thousands of Accra residents who depend on public buses daily.

The initiative also speaks to a wider ambition under the current administration to strengthen public transportation as an alternative to private car usage — a shift that urban planners and transport experts have long advocated for a city growing as rapidly as Accra.

What comes next

Minister Agbodza's Roads and Highways Ministry is now expected to work alongside contractors handling active road rehabilitation projects to incorporate the contraflow lane markings into their scope of work. The government has not yet given a specific timeline for when the markings will be completed across all designated corridors.

Commuters and transport operators will be watching closely to see whether the physical changes on the ground translate into the smoother, more reliable bus services that have been promised. For many Accra residents, tangible improvements to their daily commute will be the true measure of success.

• President Mahama has directed the Roads Minister to mark contraflow lanes on Accra roads.
• The markings will designate lanes reserved for Ayalolo buses during peak hours.
• The move forms part of broader government efforts to ease Accra's chronic traffic congestion.