The Government of Ghana has announced plans to introduce a contra flow arrangement for Ayalolo Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services on major corridors leading to Accra's Central Business District (CBD). This initiative, led by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of public transportation in the city. The contra flow arrangement will be implemented on selected corridors, including Amasaman–Accra, Adenta–Accra, and Kasoa–Accra, which have been prioritized due to high volumes of commuters traveling to and from the CBD during peak periods.
The contra flow arrangement is set to take effect from Tuesday, September 29, 2026, and will operate during peak hours from 5:00 am to 9:00 am in the morning and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the evening. During these times, designated sections of the affected corridors will be temporarily configured to allow authorized Ayalolo BRT buses to travel in the priority direction against the normal flow of general traffic. The designated contra flow lanes will be reserved strictly for Ayalolo BRT operations, and private vehicles, taxis, trotros, commercial vehicles, and other unauthorized road users will not be allowed to use these lanes.
The implementation of the contra flow arrangement is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), and the Department of Urban Roads (DUR). The MTTD will provide traffic control and enforcement support at strategic locations and major intersections along the affected corridors to ensure the smooth operation of the contra flow arrangement.
The government has stated that the intervention is intended to improve the reliability and punctuality of Ayalolo BRT services, reduce journey times for commuters, and ease congestion on major approaches to the CBD. By encouraging the use of mass public transportation, the government aims to reduce pressure from private vehicles and improve overall urban mobility within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area. The contra flow arrangement is expected to have a positive impact on the daily commute of thousands of residents in Accra.
The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has urged motorists, commercial transport operators, pedestrians, businesses, and residents along the affected corridors to cooperate with traffic officers and support the implementation of the contra flow arrangement. The government has assured that it will continue to engage with transport operators, road users, local authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure that the arrangement achieves its intended objectives while maintaining road safety.
The selected corridors for the contra flow arrangement have been chosen due to their high traffic volumes during peak periods. The Amasaman–Accra, Adenta–Accra, and Kasoa–Accra corridors are some of the busiest routes in Accra, with thousands of commuters traveling to and from the CBD every day. By introducing the contra flow arrangement, the government aims to reduce congestion on these corridors and improve the overall efficiency of public transportation in the city.
The government has assured that it will monitor the implementation of the contra flow arrangement and make adjustments as necessary to ensure its success. The arrangement is expected to be a key component of the government's efforts to improve urban mobility and reduce congestion in Accra. With the implementation of the contra flow arrangement, commuters can expect improved Ayalolo BRT services and reduced journey times on major corridors leading to the CBD.
Key points
- The contra flow arrangement for Ayalolo BRT services will operate on selected corridors, including Amasaman–Accra, Adenta–Accra, and Kasoa–Accra, during peak hours from September 29, 2026.
