JK Horgle Transportation & Co. Limited, one of Ghana’s largest petroleum haulage companies, has expressed concern over the country’s poor transport infrastructure, urging the government to urgently improve roads, railways and electric vehicle charging networks if its 24-hour economy programme is to succeed.
The company’s Chief Executive Officer, JK Horgle, made the call in a speech delivered on his behalf by Elinam Horgle during the Ghana Investment and Trade Week in Accra.
Drawing on more than 50 years of experience transporting petroleum products across Ghana and parts of West Africa, Mr. Horgle described transportation as the backbone of every economy.
“Movement is the heartbeat of any economy. If the trucks stop, Ghana stops. If the logistics fail, our development fails,” he said.
He stressed that efficient transport infrastructure is essential for the successful implementation of a round-the-clock economy.
“Our transport infrastructure must be the strong foundation upon which everything else works,” he said.
“You cannot have a 24-hour factory if the raw materials are stuck on a broken-down truck at 2:00 a.m. because of potholes. You cannot have a 24-hour market if delivery vans are delayed by poor road networks.”
According to him, national development depends on the country’s ability to move people, goods and energy efficiently without unnecessary delays.
Mr. Horgle proposed a three-pillar strategy to transform Ghana’s transport infrastructure.
The first pillar, he said, is the development of quality roads supported by a strong safety culture and strict enforcement of transport regulations, including Legislative Instrument (LI) 2180.
“For 24/7 operations, we need more than just asphalt; we need a culture of safety and total compliance,” he said.
He noted that productivity cannot be separated from safety, adding that proper enforcement of road transport regulations would not only save lives but also reduce vehicle maintenance costs, shorten travel times and lower the cost of goods for consumers.
“When the road is good, the economy breathes,” he added.
The second pillar is the revitalisation of Ghana’s railway network.
Mr. Horgle said road and rail transport should complement rather than compete with each other, arguing that an integrated logistics system would reduce pressure on the country’s roads, lower the cost of transporting bulk cargo and strengthen supply chain resilience.
“By supporting bulk transportation with rail, we preserve the lifespan of our roads, reduce the cost of large-scale logistics and make our entire supply chain more resilient,” he said.
The third pillar focuses on the development of nationwide electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support Ghana’s transition to cleaner transportation.
He called for government policies that would encourage private investment in charging networks, saying the country must position itself to benefit from the growing global shift toward electric mobility.
“Imagine a fleet of supply trucks moving across the country powered by clean energy and supported by a charging network that never sleeps. This is how we ensure Ghana remains globally competitive,” he said.
Mr. Horgle further emphasised the importance of strong collaboration between government and the private sector, saying economic transformation could only be achieved through partnership.
He said government should provide the policy direction and infrastructure while the private sector drives innovation, investment and job creation.
According to him, such collaboration would enable entrepreneurs to transport goods efficiently across the country and ensure that businesses and markets operate seamlessly throughout the day and night.
He also highlighted his partnership with the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), to establish a Centre of Excellence in Logistics and Transport aimed at developing the skilled workforce needed to support Ghana’s modern transport and logistics industry.
“We are training the next generation to manage these complex systems. We are teaching them that safety, hazard management and professionalism are the keys to building a vibrant 24-hour economy,” he said.
He concluded by urging government, industry and citizens to work together to build transport systems capable of supporting continuous economic activity.
“When we build better roads, expand our railways and embrace new energy networks, we are not just moving cargo—we are moving Ghana forward. Let us build a nation that never sleeps because our dreams are too big for a 9-to-5 economy. Together, we will keep Ghana moving.”
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