Accra, Ghana – May 11, 2026 – The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) have solidified their collaboration on the second phase of the Ghana Urban Mobility and Accessibility Project (GUMAP II). This renewed commitment, formalized during a courtesy visit by a SECO delegation to the NDPC headquarters, aims to enhance sustainable transport planning and implementation across Ghana’s metropolitan and municipal assemblies.
Strengthening Urban Transport Planning
The engagement highlighted the critical need for improved urban mobility solutions in Ghana’s rapidly growing cities. GUMAP II seeks to address challenges related to traffic congestion, accessibility, and the environmental impact of transportation systems. By focusing on metropolitan and municipal assemblies, the project targets key decision-making bodies responsible for local development and infrastructure.
Audrey Smock Amoah, Director-General of the NDPC, emphasized the importance of practical planning tools and effective stakeholder coordination. She stressed that careful selection of participating districts is crucial to ensure the project’s success and prevent unintended consequences or spillover effects into non-participating areas.
Addressing Past Challenges and Building Capacity
Discussions also acknowledged previous efforts to establish dedicated transport departments within local government structures. Dr. Amoah noted that staffing limitations had previously hindered the full implementation of such initiatives. The renewed focus on GUMAP II includes a commitment to rebuilding and strengthening these departments to provide the necessary capacity for effective transport planning and management.
A key component of the GUMAP II strategy involves collaboration with the Office of the Head of Local Government Service. This partnership is designed to identify existing staffing gaps within municipal transport departments and implement measures to fill them. Strengthening these human resource capacities is seen as vital for the sustainable rollout and long-term success of the project.
Regional Coordination and Integration
The role of Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) was also underscored as essential partners. Dr. Amoah highlighted their importance in integrating mobility plans into broader local development strategies. This ensures that urban transport initiatives are aligned with overall economic and social development objectives at the regional level.
The collaboration between NDPC and SECO signifies a shared vision for a more accessible, efficient, and sustainable urban transport network in Ghana. The project’s second phase is expected to build upon the lessons learned from previous initiatives, incorporating robust planning frameworks and enhanced institutional capacity.
Looking Ahead
The success of GUMAP II will likely depend on sustained political will, effective inter-agency coordination, and the active participation of local communities. Future efforts will focus on monitoring the implementation of new planning tools, assessing the impact of strengthened transport departments, and evaluating the integration of mobility plans into regional development strategies. Observers will be watching how these collaborative efforts translate into tangible improvements in urban mobility across Ghana’s key cities.
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