Ghana - Accra
The Urban Pathways Implementation Tracker is tracking the Projects Progress
The Urban Pathways Implementation Tracker is tracking the Projects Progress
Accra
Accra is the capital of Ghana, a country located in the Western region of Sub-Saharan Africa. The population of the city as at 2014 was estimated at 2.27 million people (World Population Review, 2018). With the population increasing at a rate of 4%, Accra is noted to be among the fastest urbanizing cities in Africa (Atlas of Urban Expansion, 2016).
Urban Transport in Accra
It is estimated that Accra alone hosts about 50% of the total registered vehicles nationwide numbering about 1,134,599 vehicles by 2017 (EPA, 2017). In Accra, most trips are made by private cars, taxis, mini-buses (called trotro) and buses; the latter three constituting the core of public transport services in the city. In recent times, there is an increase in the use of motorcycles and bicycles as a means of transporting goods and people. The use of motorcycles popularly called “Okada” constituted 8% of all modes of public transportation as at the year 2015 and has gained popularity though it is considered illegal (Graphiconline, 2018).
Mini-buses provide the bulk of urban transport services in Accra. Compared with large buses whose average age is 1 to 2 years, mini-buses used in Accra age typically between 15 to 20 years (Kumar and Barrett, 2008). These mini-buses have over the years been described as over-aged and poorly maintained vehicles that pose safety and emissions threats to urban dwellers. The rise in the use of motorcycles as public transport after the year 2008, has been associated to passengers’ desire for a quick means of movement to avoid being stuck in traffic congestion mainly caused by mini-buses and taxis. The use of bicycles in Accra is limited; owing to the fact that cycling lanes are non-existent on most roads; and where they are available, such spaces are encroached by businesses and hawkers (Kumar and Barrett, 2008). The non-availability of pedestrian lanes also discourages walking and rather makes it a risky means of movement (Quarshie, 2004).
A look at the urban transport situation in Accra as illustrated above, shows that the urban public transport sub-sector (made up of mini-buses, large buses and taxis) provide the most means of movement of goods and people. In effect, a major intervention (such as introducing electric vehicles) in this area can generate immense environmental gains in the city’s transport sector as a whole. As far as this sub-sector is concerned, however, there is currently no available information on any initiative to electrify mini-buses, large buses or taxis in Accra.
Waste Management in Accra
In Accra, waste management is the responsibility of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies which are expected to implement waste management projects and activities as set out in their respective District Environmental Sanitation Strategy and Action Plans. These plans are guided by the National Environmental Sanitation Strategy and Action Plan (NESSAP) of 2010. It is estimated that 0.75kg/capita of waste is generated daily in Accra comprising of household, institutional and industrial waste (Agyepong., K. A., 2018). Waste management in Accra and in Ghana in general is characterized by more emphasis on collection and transport than treatment and final disposal. As such about 85% of solid waste generated are not properly disposed; a situation which is deemed as environmentally damaging; and is expected to worsen especially as the city continues to grow (MLGRD, 2010). In response to this situation, the NESSAP promotes the concept of “material in transition” which implores local authorities as well as other implementing agencies and stakeholders to consider value addition to waste within the production and consumption cycle.
Energy Sector of Accra
According to the 2010 Ghana Population and Housing Census, about 93.8% of residents in Accra have access to electricity. It is also estimated that 46.5% of households in Accra depend on charcoal for cooking whilst 41.4% use gas (Ghana Statistical Service, 2010). Though electricity access in Accra is relatively high, electricity supply remains inadequate with intermittent power cuts. This according to the 2010 National Energy Policy is mainly due to inadequate generation capacity as a result of fuel shortage, transmission losses and poor tariff structure (Government of Ghana, 2010). Electricity supplied to the city of Accra is generated by three (3) major groups of institutions namely: the Volta River Authority (VRA), Bui Power Authority (BPA) and Independent Power Producers (IPP). Transmission is done by the National Interconnected Transmission System (NITS) owned and operated by the state-owned Ghana Grid Company Ltd (GRIDCo). Electricity is finally distributed to consumers by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) responsible for the southern sector of Ghana including Accra (Government of Ghana, 2010).
Accra is the capital of Ghana, a country located in the Western region of Sub-Saharan Africa. The population of the city as at 2014 was estimated at 2.27 million people (World Population Review, 2018). With the population increasing at a rate of 4%, Accra is noted to be among the fastest urbanizing cities in Africa (Atlas of Urban Expansion, 2016).
Urban Transport in Accra
It is estimated that Accra alone hosts about 50% of the total registered vehicles nationwide numbering about 1,134,599 vehicles by 2017 (EPA, 2017). In Accra, most trips are made by private cars, taxis, mini-buses (called trotro) and buses; the latter three constituting the core of public transport services in the city. In recent times, there is an increase in the use of motorcycles and bicycles as a means of transporting goods and people. The use of motorcycles popularly called “Okada” constituted 8% of all modes of public transportation as at the year 2015 and has gained popularity though it is considered illegal (Graphiconline, 2018).
Mini-buses provide the bulk of urban transport services in Accra. Compared with large buses whose average age is 1 to 2 years, mini-buses used in Accra age typically between 15 to 20 years (Kumar and Barrett, 2008). These mini-buses have over the years been described as over-aged and poorly maintained vehicles that pose safety and emissions threats to urban dwellers. The rise in the use of motorcycles as public transport after the year 2008, has been associated to passengers’ desire for a quick means of movement to avoid being stuck in traffic congestion mainly caused by mini-buses and taxis. The use of bicycles in Accra is limited; owing to the fact that cycling lanes are non-existent on most roads; and where they are available, such spaces are encroached by businesses and hawkers (Kumar and Barrett, 2008). The non-availability of pedestrian lanes also discourages walking and rather makes it a risky means of movement (Quarshie, 2004).
A look at the urban transport situation in Accra as illustrated above, shows that the urban public transport sub-sector (made up of mini-buses, large buses and taxis) provide the most means of movement of goods and people. In effect, a major intervention (such as introducing electric vehicles) in this area can generate immense environmental gains in the city’s transport sector as a whole. As far as this sub-sector is concerned, however, there is currently no available information on any initiative to electrify mini-buses, large buses or taxis in Accra.
Waste Management in Accra
In Accra, waste management is the responsibility of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies which are expected to implement waste management projects and activities as set out in their respective District Environmental Sanitation Strategy and Action Plans. These plans are guided by the National Environmental Sanitation Strategy and Action Plan (NESSAP) of 2010. It is estimated that 0.75kg/capita of waste is generated daily in Accra comprising of household, institutional and industrial waste (Agyepong., K. A., 2018). Waste management in Accra and in Ghana in general is characterized by more emphasis on collection and transport than treatment and final disposal. As such about 85% of solid waste generated are not properly disposed; a situation which is deemed as environmentally damaging; and is expected to worsen especially as the city continues to grow (MLGRD, 2010). In response to this situation, the NESSAP promotes the concept of “material in transition” which implores local authorities as well as other implementing agencies and stakeholders to consider value addition to waste within the production and consumption cycle.
Energy Sector of Accra
According to the 2010 Ghana Population and Housing Census, about 93.8% of residents in Accra have access to electricity. It is also estimated that 46.5% of households in Accra depend on charcoal for cooking whilst 41.4% use gas (Ghana Statistical Service, 2010). Though electricity access in Accra is relatively high, electricity supply remains inadequate with intermittent power cuts. This according to the 2010 National Energy Policy is mainly due to inadequate generation capacity as a result of fuel shortage, transmission losses and poor tariff structure (Government of Ghana, 2010). Electricity supplied to the city of Accra is generated by three (3) major groups of institutions namely: the Volta River Authority (VRA), Bui Power Authority (BPA) and Independent Power Producers (IPP). Transmission is done by the National Interconnected Transmission System (NITS) owned and operated by the state-owned Ghana Grid Company Ltd (GRIDCo). Electricity is finally distributed to consumers by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) responsible for the southern sector of Ghana including Accra (Government of Ghana, 2010).
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Policy Environment Assessment
Upon ratification in September 1995, Ghana became a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and has since been committed to undertaking environmental initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gases and mitigating climate change effects. As part of its Intended Nationally Determined (IND) contributions, Ghana committed to unconditionally reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 15% compared to the Business-As-usual (BAU) scenario emission of 73.95MtCO2e by 2030. The country targeted the reduction of emissions from the following sectors: energy, Transport, Waste, Industry and Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sectors. As a policy action to reduce emissions from the transport sector, Ghana is committed to promoting sustainable mass transportation through the development of Bus Rapid Transit in 4 major cities. This action is expected to contribute to an abatement potential of 1.63 MtCO2e by 2040 considering the mitigation measures proposed by the country (Government of Ghana, 2015).
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E-Mobility options in Accra
It is estimated that Accra alone hosts about 50% of the total registered vehicles nationwide numbering about 1,134,599 vehicles by 2017 (EPA, 2017). In Accra, most trips are made by private cars, taxis, mini-buses (called trotro) and buses; the latter three constituting the core of public transport services in the city. In recent times, there is an increase in the use of motorcycles and bicycles as a means of transporting goods and people. The use of motorcycles popularly called “Okada” constituted 8% of all modes of public transportation as at the year 2015 and has gained popularity though it is considered illegal (Graphiconline, 2018). |
