The Okada debate: Why not Accountability for Failed Mass Transit Initiatives?

I have listened with dismay the direction the debate on whether to legalise okada or not has taken since ex-President Mahama raised the subject. For both parties who are looking to put the gears of development into high gear, there is nothing sustainable about their intentions.

I personally spoke loudly about how I will be disappointed if President Akuffo Addo legalised okada because he was (or perhaps is still) the ambassador of the UN SDGs. I am happy about the stance of the government in not legalising okada but I am indifferent about the idea of car leasing because it does not resolve the problem or fill the public transportation gap okada operations seeks to fill. 

Now, here is the real reason why I am writing this update. There is a question that hits me every time I hear about okada. Here is it. Why is no one talking about the failed and/or failing public transport operations such as Ayalolo and Metro Mass? Why do we still have Ayalolo buses sitting while the masses struggle to move around the city?  Metro Mass and Ayalolo also provide jobs. are those jobs not worth protecting? Do these two not have a much higher potential of creating decent jobs?  Isn't this what the debate should be about? Isn't it time to look at mass transportation again and find a lasting solution to mobility in our cities and sprawling suburbs? 

There are lessons to be learnt around the world. We can never build enough roads and cars will continue to increase. Let's stop reinventing the wheel because we cannot escape the mass transit and sustainability issue. We will run fro it but it awaits us in the future. Beyond this is the broader issues of community planning and access to public services at the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) which is beyond the scope of this write-up?

I believe our journalist and citizens probing this issue should demand accountability for the mass transport initiatives and better plans and vision for mobility and access to government services, business and social activities.