Women and children are emerging as the hardest hit victims of Ghana’s deepening transport crisis, as chaotic scenes at major lorry stations continue to disrupt daily life, endanger the vulnerable and erode productivity across the country.
At the Kwame Nkrumah Circle – one of Accra’s busiest transport hubs – the struggle for public transport has turned into a daily battle of physical strength, leaving women, children and the elderly at a severe disadvantage. At the footbridge loading stop near Circle Ebony, long queues collapse into disorder the moment a vehicle arrives, with boarding determined not by order, but by force.
Atinka TV’s Ebenezer Madugu, reporting live from the scene, witnessed a heated confrontation between a male passenger and a woman who had been patiently waiting in line.
“He pushed me off the line and I couldn’t enter the bus and another person has taken the seat. He wanted to overtake me. If you (Michel Ofori) try, I will slap you,” the woman, identified as Maa Agnes, told Madugu in distress.
According to eyewitness Kwaku Pastor, a loading assistant, the incident reflects a broader pattern of abuse against women amid the transport shortage.
“The man thought the woman can’t fight him. He thought she was weak and wanted to bully her. But the woman also pushed him to prevent him from entering. Now they all couldn’t go because they are now fighting,” – he explained.
He added a plea to authorities: “We beg the government to do something about this because there are few cars in town.”
Beyond physical confrontations, the crisis is taking a heavy toll on family life and health, especially for working mothers.
Madam Adelaide Boateng, a stranded passenger standing with her school-going son, said she had been waiting for over an hour.
“We normally get home after 10pm and wake up at 4am. I hardly make time for his sister these days. I am really struggling,” – she lamented.
She appealed directly to the government: “I am begging government to quickly fix the broken Ayalolo and Metro Mass to end all these challenges. We beg him (President Mahama).”
Nearby, Julie Adom, a trader who had just closed from selling buff loaf and was carrying a sieve with leftover goods, stood helplessly as vans arrived and left without her.
“I have been here for over 30 minutes. I believe I will get some later though I am in a hurry,” – she said quietly.
When Madugu asked why she was not attempting to board when vehicles arrived, her response captured the silent suffering of many women.
“I don’t have that strength and I am carrying load. If it pours on the ground, I’m dead,” she replied emotionally.
As transport shortages persist, workers across Accra and other major cities are arriving home late, waking up exhausted, and risking long-term health consequences.
For women – especially traders, mothers and caregivers – the crisis is not just about delayed journeys, but daily humiliation, physical danger and lost dignity.
At Kwame Nkrumah Circle, the message from commuters is clear: until public transport systems like Ayalolo and Metro Mass Transit are restored and expanded, the struggle for survival on Ghana’s roads will continue — with women paying the highest price.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com| Ebenezer Madugu