The Ministry of Transport says the government is ready to partner the private sector to increase terminals for the State Transport Company.

Sector Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, believes the move will place long-distance bus terminals at the doorstep of travelers.

He says the partnerships will contribute largely to improvement of the public transportation sector.

“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.

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.

He added “an improved road transport system enables the smooth movement of goods and services across the country, thus facilitating trade and commerce.”

Already, the STC’s partnership with the IOP Group of Companies, a private company that operates GH Express Transport Services Limited, is yielding some results.

Through the partnership, a new terminal has been constructed in Kumasi to facilitate transport services from Fante New Town.

CEO of GH Express Transport Services Limited, Joseph Sackey stated that the facility will give passengers the support they require to ensure a comfortable travel experience.

He claims the company is committed to replicating similar facilities in the Ashanti Region.

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. 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.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Inter City STC Coaches Limited, Nana Akomea was grateful to GH Express for the new bus terminal in Kumasi.

He said the facility would facilitate convenient travel for passengers and improve the operations of Inter-City STC in 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.

The Chief of Kumasi Asafo, Akyamfour Asafo Agyemang Bonsu Boakye, who chaired the event, said the collaboration between STC and GH Express will boost the 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