File photo of public transport
The Member of Parliament for Bekwai Constituency, Ralph Poku-Adusei, has blamed the government for the ongoing transport challenges facing ordinary Ghanaians, describing the situation as a direct result of economic mismanagement and failure to deliver meaningful relief to citizens.
Speaking in an interview following the Minority Caucus’ accountability press conference in Parliament on Monday, January 26, 2026, the NPP MP highlighted how macroeconomic improvements touted by the government have failed to translate into better living conditions for the average Ghanaian.
Concerned vehicle importers threaten to storm Jubilee House
Ralph Poku-Adusei pointed to the transport sector as a glaring example of the crisis, noting that in his Bekwai constituency and beyond, long-distance transport options have collapsed.
“In the past, we had a transport plan from Bekwai directly to Kumasi. Now they have stopped because now they will go in piecemeal in order to make a lot of money because people really can’t afford the long haul,” he said.
He noted how desperate commuters queue in large numbers only to be forced into fragmented, piecemeal trips.
This, he argued, reflects broader hardship where citizens struggle to afford basic transportation amid rising costs.
The Bekwai lawmaker who is also the Deputy Ranking Member on the Committee for Sanitation and Water Resources of Parliament, linked these issues to wider economic pressures, including recent utility tariff adjustments.
While acknowledging a decline in fuel prices, he criticised the simultaneous increase in electricity tariffs by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) that initially proposed hikes exceeding 225% before being moderated to around 20-25%.
“Look at the salary increment that they propose, or that have been adjusted: 9%. You are increasing the pocket of the individual, or the citizen by 9%, and then the tariffs that he’s going to pay, you will increase it by 25%. It is still unfair,” he stated.
Ralph Poku-Adusei questioned the government’s claims of progress on indicators like a stable cedi, single-digit inflation and GDP growth.
“Where is the reflection of these figures… in the pockets of the ordinary Ghanaians?” he questioned, emphasizing that such statistics mean little when people “can’t even get money to afford food to eat” or reliable transport.
The MP described the current actions of some transport operators as one of desperation, where citizens “will do anything to survive,” and squarely placed responsibility on the government for imposing these hardships.
He announced that Minority MPs, including new faces like himself, would intensify efforts to hold the administration accountable, expose unfulfilled promises, and ensure delivery for Ghanaians.
His comments come amid reports of widespread transport strains across the country, including long queues, vehicle shortages during rush hours and the charging of illegal fares in areas like Greater Kumasi the national capital, Accra by transport operators.
Public frustration has grown over the disconnect between official economic narratives and everyday realities.
A lawyer and first-term MP elected in 2024, Ralph Poku-Adusei represents the Bekwai constituency in the Ashanti Region and serves as part of the NPP’s parliamentary caucus now in the minority following the 2024 elections.
AM
Minority Caucus defends call for Okudzeto Ablakwa’s resignation
