Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (M), being assisted by Kwaku Ofori Asiamah (R), Minister of Transport, and Nii Kwartei Titus Glover (L), Greater Accra Regional Minister to outdoor the electric buses. Pix by Gifty Ama Lawson
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia yesterday outdoored the first batch of 100 electric buses (EVs) for Metro Mass Transit (MMT) Limited.
This initiative is part of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government’s ambition to modernise, innovate, and transform the country’s public transport sector.
It is also aimed at reducing public transport costs, enhancing accessibility, and contributing to global efforts to reduce carbon footprints.
The buses will be driven by head porters who graduated from the Bus Driving Training for Kayayei under the Kayayei Empowerment Programme, launched by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Accra, Dr. Bawumia stated that the introduction of EVs would reduce public transport costs by 40 to 50 percent and cut the operational and maintenance costs of MMT by 50 percent.
“I am delighted to commission the first batch of electric buses for Metro Mass Transit Limited. This marks a new era of innovation in public transport services,” he said.
He emphasised that the shift towards electric vehicles goes beyond MMT, encompassing the entire public transport sector.
Dr. Bawumia, who is also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate for the December 7 elections, recounted the skepticism that greeted his initial proposal to transition public transport in the country to electric vehicles.
“They said it was an election promise that wouldn’t be fulfilled. Unfortunately, this mindset of impossibility has persisted over the last eight years.
“However, I never doubted that this was achievable. If other countries can deploy electric buses for public transportation, why not Ghana?”
He outlined the government’s broader vision to transform the public transport sector, including facilitating credit facilities for members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other organised transport associations.
He encouraged individuals operating transport businesses to join organised unions to benefit from the government’s interventions.
Despite criticism from skeptics, he reaffirmed his commitment to implementing innovative initiatives, including EVs for public transport.
“The transport sector is a major contributor to economic growth and a prerequisite for ensuring success in education, job creation, market access, healthcare, and more,” he noted.
He also announced the government’s readiness to collaborate with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to train technical staff to maintain the EVs.
Transport Minister
Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, noted that the 100 buses represent a pilot phase to identify and address operational challenges before scaling nationwide.
MMT MD
The Managing Director of MMT, Albert Adu Boahen, expressed gratitude to the government for supporting the company with a new fleet of buses to revamp its operations.
He praised the launch of the 2023 Electric Policy Framework, which guides the implementation of EVs in Ghana.
Mr. Boahen indicated that using EVs would reduce fuel costs by 55 percent, ensure affordable transport fares, and improve passenger experiences.
He added that MMT had established charging facilities along EV routes from Adenta to Accra and Ashaiman to Accra for the pilot phase.
Additionally, technical staff have been trained to ensure the proper maintenance and sustainability of the vehicles.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent