State Intervention In Public Transportation In Ghana

Abstract

iThis paper examines state involvement in Ghana's public transport delivery. It mainly explores the rationale for the creation of the Metro Mass Transit (MMT) system as a state-backed transit organization despite the Ghanaian Government's chequered history in the transit industry. The empirical basis of this paper is both primary and secondary data with inclination toward qualitative methodologies. Findings indicate that state intervention in Ghana's mass transit provision have been one of addressing various types of market failures. The paper also demonstrates how the Government was, inter alia, politically motivated to set up the MMT as a single dominant public transit company in Ghana to enjoy state patronage. Though the paper reveals political interference in MMT's operations, the public transit continues to register significant strides in alleviating transit problems encountered by both urban and rural commuters. The paper concludes that state-led transit investment which is closely-tied with private capital promotes efficient transit systems that are socially equitable, ecologically friendly and economically sustainable..