Long-distance travellers have been left stranded at major bus terminals in Kumasi, including the Kumasi–Tarkwa station, as post-Christmas travel pressure overwhelms transport services.

Passengers who arrived at the stations as early as dawn were seen queuing for hours, anxiously waiting as minibuses and vans filled up almost immediately upon arrival. Long lines stretched across the terminals, with many travellers left standing for extended periods while conductors repeatedly assured them that more vehicles were on the way.

In an interview with JoyNews, some stranded passengers expressed frustration over the delays.

“I have been here for about 30 minutes now. They told us some vehicles would arrive soon and asked us to remain calm because after the last one left, none had returned,” one passenger said.

Another traveller added, “I met the first vehicle loading when I arrived, so I am hoping the next one comes soon so we can also move to our destination.”

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Long-distance travellers are piling up at bus stations in Kumasi, including the Kumasi–Tarkwa station, as post-Christmas travel pressure overwhelms transport services. Passengers who queued from dawn have been left visibly stranded at the station, waiting anxiously as minibuses and vans fill up almost immediately upon arrival. Queues have stretched across the terminal, with passengers waiting for prolonged periods as conductors assure them that vehicles are gradually making their way in. #JoyNews

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Transport operators attributed the congestion to heavy traffic on the Kumasi–Accra Highway, caused by workers, students and holidaymakers returning to their destinations after the festive break.

“I believe schools have resumed and workers are also returning after the end-of-year holidays, which is why the station is choked.

“It is not usually like this, but we assure everyone that they will travel by the end of the day. So far, about eight vehicles have come to load passengers, and we are issuing numbers to ensure orderliness in the queue.”

Officials of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) described this year’s post-holiday rush as unusually intense, with vehicles filling up rapidly and crowds surging each time a bus arrived.

“The crowd this year has been overwhelming. It has been different from previous years, and many of our vehicles are also stuck in traffic on the Accra–Kumasi road,” a GPRTU official said. “The large crowds we usually record come in two phases—before and during the festive season, and then after the holidays—but this year the post-holiday rush has been particularly heavy.”

Despite the congestion, transport operators assured passengers that measures were being taken to manage the situation and ensure that all travellers reach their destinations safely.