The Ministry of Transport has announced the government's commitment to collaborate with the private sector in expanding terminals for the State Transport Company (STC).Sector Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, expressed confidence that this partnership will bring long-distance bus terminals closer to travelers. He emphasized that the move will significantly enhance the public transportation sector.

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“The partnership with the private sector is to the advantage of the travelers. When the STC had only one station in Kumasi, people had to travel from far distances to the one station and it came with a lot of risk,” said the Minister.Many long-distance travelers have occasionally faced difficulty in accessing transport services due to inadequate coaches at both the state and private terminals.

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To the Minister, an investment from the private sector is among the convenient ways to improve the sector and deal with the challenges of travelers.“Government has only a five percent stake in the public transport system in the country. The private sector is the key contributor, for this reason, we have to draw them closer to us,” Mr. Ofori Asiamah said.

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He added “an improved road transport system enables the smooth movement of goods and services across the country, thus facilitating trade and commerce.”The collaboration between STC and the IOP Group of Companies, which runs GH Express Transport Services Limited, is already showing positive outcomes.As part of the partnership, a new terminal has been built in Kumasi to improve transport services from Fante New Town.

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Joseph Sackey, CEO of GH Express Transport Services Limited, mentioned that the new facility will provide passengers with the necessary support for a more comfortable travel experience.He also assured that the company plans to build similar facilities across the Ashanti Region.

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According to Joseph Sackey, additional transport companies will soon be allowed to work alongside STC Inter-City Coaches at the Kumasi terminal, “as long as they are willing to adhere to the specified terms and conditions.”He further emphasized proper measures are in place to ensure maintenance of the facility.“We want to assure you that the project will not suffer such a fate.

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We will keep enhancing the terminal’s facilities with the view to providing first-class, cutting-edge facilities that will ensure continuous provision of excellent customer service,” he stated.In the meantime, Nana Akomea, Managing Director of Inter City STC Coaches Limited, expressed his gratitude to GH Express for the new bus terminal in Kumasi.

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He mentioned that the facility would make travel more convenient for passengers and enhance the operations of Inter-City STC across the country.“I would also entreat the workers of STC to treat customers and passengers with respect and professionalism to maintain the goodwill of STC,” he added.

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The Chief of Kumasi Asafo, Akyamfour Asafo Agyemang Bonsu Boakye, who led the event, stated that the partnership between STC and GH Express will significantly enhance economic activities in the Ashanti region.“The new bus terminal will enhance connectivity between Kumasi and other parts of the country, facilitating the transportation of goods and people,” he explained.

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