Joseph Kwaku Horgle Urges Ghana to Overhaul Transport Infrastructure for a 24‑Hour Economy
During the Ghana Investment and Trade Week in Accra, veteran transport leader Joseph Kwaku Horgle — CEO of JK Horgle Transportation & Company Limited — warned that the nation’s ambitious 24‑hour austerity programme will falter without urgent upgrades to roads, railways and electric‑vehicle (EV) charging networks. With more than five decades of experience moving petroleum products across Ghana and West Africa, Horgle framed transport as the “heartbeat” of any economy.
“Movement is the heartbeat of any economy. If the trucks stop, Ghana stops. If logistics fail, our development fails.”
— Joseph Kwaku Horgle, CEO, JK Horgle Transportation & Company Limited
Experience and Vision
Horgle’s career began in the early 1970s when Ghana’s petroleum sector was expanding rapidly. Over the years he has overseen the logistics of fuel distribution to remote mining sites, agricultural hubs and urban centres, giving him a ground‑level view of how infrastructure bottlenecks affect daily operations. His remarks at the trade week were delivered on his behalf by his daughter, Elinam Horgle, underscoring the family‑run nature of the business and its long‑term commitment to the sector.
A Three‑Pillar Strategy for Transport Transformation
Horgle proposed a concrete, three‑pillar approach designed to create a resilient foundation for round‑the‑clock economic activity:
- Quality Roads with a Safety Culture – Beyond laying asphalt, he stressed the need for strict enforcement of traffic regulations, including Legislative Instrument (LI) 2180, which governs vehicle loading and road safety. Citing World Bank data that only approximately 30 % of Ghana’s 78,000 km road network is paved, he argued that improved road quality coupled with safety compliance would cut vehicle maintenance costs, reduce travel times and lower consumer prices.
- Revitalising the Railway Network – Ghana’s rail system currently spans about 947 km, of which only roughly 130 km are operational. Horgle advocated for an integrated logistics model where rail handles bulk goods (e.g., cement, minerals, agricultural produce) while roads manage last‑mile delivery. Such a shift could extend road lifespan, cut logistics costs by up to 15 % (per African Development Bank estimates) and strengthen supply‑chain resilience.
- Nationwide EV Charging Infrastructure – To position Ghana for the global shift toward electric mobility, he called for policies that incentivise private investment in charging stations. As of 2023, Ghana had fewer than 10 public EV chargers, according to the International Energy Agency. A reliable, 24‑hour charging network would enable clean‑energy delivery fleets, reduce fuel import bills and improve urban air quality.
Public‑Private Partnership as the Engine of Change
Horgle repeatedly highlighted that sustainable progress cannot be achieved by the state alone. He urged the government to provide clear policy direction, secure funding for core infrastructure and enforce regulations, while the private sector drives innovation, invests in technology and creates jobs. This collaborative model mirrors successful transport reforms in countries such as Rwanda and Ethiopia, where public‑private partnerships have accelerated road upgrades and rail revitalisation (AfDB, 2022).
Building a Skilled Workforce: The UPSA Collaboration
Recognising that modern logistics demand specialised expertise, JK Horgle Transportation & Company Limited has partnered with the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) to launch a Center of Excellence in Logistics and Transport. The centre aims to train the next generation of transport professionals in safety management, hazard mitigation and professional ethics — skills Horgle deems essential for a vibrant 24‑hour economy. Early pilot programmes have already enrolled over 200 students, with curricula aligned to international standards set by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
Conclusion: Moving Ghana Forward
In his closing remarks, Horgle painted a vivid picture of a nation that never sleeps — one where goods flow smoothly at 2 a.m., markets stay stocked around the clock, and clean‑energy trucks hum along well‑maintained roads and rails. He urged government, industry and citizens to unite behind the vision: “As we build better roads, expand our railways and introduce new energy networks, we are not just moving freight — 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.”
By grounding his appeal in decades of industry experience, citing verifiable infrastructure data and proposing actionable, partnership‑driven solutions, Horgle’s address offers a credible roadmap for Ghana’s transport sector — one that aligns with both national development goals and global best practices.
