GOVERNMENT ROLLS OUT AYALOLO CONTRA FLOW SYSTEM ON THREE MAJOR ACCRA CORRIDORS
The government has introduced a new contra flow traffic arrangement for Ayalolo Bus Rapid Transit services on three major routes into Accra's Central Business District. The system begins September 29 and will operate during morning and evening peak hours as authorities seek to reduce travel times and ease congestion.
The government has announced a new contra flow traffic arrangement for Ayalolo Bus Rapid Transit services on three major corridors leading into Accra's Central Business District as part of efforts to reduce congestion and improve public transportation in the capital.
The new arrangement will take effect on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, and will cover the Amasaman to Accra, Adenta to Accra and Kasoa to Accra corridors.
The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs said the system will operate during peak commuting periods, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the morning and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the evening.
Under the arrangement, designated sections of the affected roads will be temporarily configured to allow authorized Ayalolo buses to travel against the normal flow of traffic in the priority direction.
The dedicated contra flow lanes will be reserved strictly for Ayalolo BRT services.
Private vehicles, taxis, trotros and other commercial or unauthorized vehicles will not be permitted to use the lanes.
The government says the intervention is intended to give public buses priority through some of Accra's most congested routes, allowing them to avoid heavy traffic during periods when thousands of commuters are traveling into and out of the city center.
The Amasaman, Adenta and Kasoa corridors are among the capital's busiest commuter routes and regularly experience significant congestion during morning and evening rush hours.
By allowing Ayalolo buses to use designated sections of the road in the opposite direction, authorities expect buses to complete journeys more quickly and operate according to more reliable schedules.
The government also hopes improved journey times will encourage more commuters to use mass public transportation rather than relying on private vehicles.
POLICE TO ENFORCE DEDICATED LANES
The new system is being implemented by the Ministry in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service, the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive and the Department of Urban Roads.
Police officers are expected to be deployed at strategic locations and major intersections along the affected corridors to manage traffic and enforce compliance.
Motorists will therefore be required to follow temporary traffic directions as sections of the roads are adjusted during the designated hours.
Authorities have stressed that motorists must not enter the Ayalolo priority lanes.
The Ministry has urged private motorists, commercial transport operators and other road users to cooperate with police officers and traffic officials as the arrangement takes effect.
GOVERNMENT TARGETS SHORTER JOURNEY TIMES
The government expects the contra flow system to improve the punctuality and reliability of Ayalolo services while reducing the amount of time passengers spend in traffic.
Traffic congestion remains one of the major transportation challenges facing Accra, particularly during morning and evening rush hours.
Long queues on major roads leading into the Central Business District can significantly increase journey times for both private motorists and public transport passengers.
The new arrangement represents an attempt to give high capacity public transportation an advantage during the busiest periods rather than allowing buses carrying dozens of passengers to remain trapped in the same congestion as private vehicles.
Authorities also expect the system to reduce pressure on major approaches to the Central Business District if more commuters choose public transportation.
The effectiveness of the arrangement will depend heavily on enforcement, compliance by motorists and the ability of authorities to manage traffic safely where the contra flow sections begin and end.
Management of Ayalolo BRT is also expected to provide further information on how the system will operate.
For thousands of commuters using the Amasaman, Adenta and Kasoa routes every day, the introduction of the system could significantly change the morning and evening commute if the dedicated lanes deliver the shorter and more predictable journey times envisioned by authorities.
