The World Bank has lauded the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Kumasi as a vital initiative with the potential to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce unemployment, and stimulate economic growth in the region.

This strong endorsement came from World Bank Vice President for West and Central Africa, Ousmane Diagana, during a recent visit to project sites and a meeting with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The extensive visit to sites earmarked for the project and the courtesy call from the World Bank, the Ashanti Regional transport coordinating director, the KMA transport unit and other stakeholders, were meant to quickly put things in order to help speed up the process.

Mr. Diagana emphasized the significance of witnessing the project locations firsthand, stating, "No food can replace the visual. Being able to see where the project will be implemented was absolutely fantastic.” This personal observation, he noted, underscored the World Bank's commitment to ensuring the project is effectively tailored to the specific needs of Kumasi.

The Vice President highlighted that the BRT project is not simply a transportation solution but a strategic response to major global trends, including rapid urbanization, population growth, and climate change.

He stressed the project's potential to empower young people by providing access to job opportunities in urban centers, explaining, "We know that the world can be generated everywhere, but it can be generated essentially in big cities.”

Speaking to Kumasi's vital role as a major commercial hub in Africa, Mr. Diagana underscored the BRT project as essential for unlocking the city’s economic potential. He stated, “We cannot, of course, get the full advantage of this opportunity and at the same time to harness the potential associated with an organization if we don't work also on how we can modernize the transportation system."

Mr. Diagana further clarified that the BRT project serves as a catalyst for broader economic development, with proven success in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. He stressed the importance of adapting these successful models to the Ghanaian context to accelerate the project's implementation. “We capitalize on the context of Ghana, to make this project go faster,” he affirmed.

He also highlighted the need for seamless collaboration between all stakeholders, including the government, the municipality, landowners, and operators, with a target to secure project approval by June.

In a show of support, Mr. Diagana pledged the World Bank’s unwavering commitment to providing necessary resources and expertise to ensure the project's success.

Additionally, he acknowledged the valuable input from Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, emphasizing that his feedback will be thoroughly considered in project planning.

About the project;

The Kumasi BRT project is a comprehensive effort to establish a modern Bus Rapid Transit system in the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area (GKMA). The project’s primary objectives include alleviating traffic congestion, reducing travel times, and increasing the efficiency of public transportation.

By providing reliable and predictable transit, the BRT system is expected to not only facilitate the smooth movement of people but also serve as an important tool for economic development, creating employment opportunities, and making Kumasi an attractive investment destination.

The initiative is backed by the World Bank, government partners, and other key stakeholders.