During the commissioning of Ghana’s first electric buses, Vice President and NPP flagbearer, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, highlighted his commitment to turning seemingly impossible ideas into reality.
Reflecting on the skepticism surrounding his initial proposal to introduce electric vehicles into Ghana’s public transport system, he stated that many critics dismissed it as an unrealistic election promise.
“When I first suggested moving public transport in Ghana to electric vehicles, many thought it wasn’t possible. They claimed it was just another election promise that would never be fulfilled. However, we’ve proven that with the right mindset, what seems impossible can become possible,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized that the electric bus initiative extends beyond Metro Mass Transit Limited to include the entire public transport sector. He expressed pride in the government’s focus on transformative projects over the past eight years.
“For the last eight years in government, we have been focused on transformation. Many initiatives have faced a mindset of impossibility, but we have consistently overcome these barriers,” he remarked.
He cited the successful implementation of the Ghana Card as an example. “When we took on the Ghana Card project, after eight years of failure by the previous government, people doubted our ability to deliver. Today, not only has it been implemented, but other countries are coming to Ghana to learn how to issue national ID cards for their citizens.”
Dr. Bawumia also mentioned the groundbreaking use of the Ghana Card for international travel, which will soon include E-gates at Kotoka International Airport. “People doubted that Ghanaians could use the Ghana Card to travel into Ghana. Now, starting next week, travelers with the Ghana Card will bypass immigration and use E-gates at Kotoka International Airport,” he explained.
The Vice President highlighted other notable achievements, including the successful introduction of mobile money interoperability. “When we proposed mobile money interoperability, many laughed at the idea, claiming no African country had done it. Today, Ghana is the only country in Africa with complete domestic payment interoperability.”
He also listed other accomplishments, such as free Senior High School (SHS), Agenda 111, and hostels for kayayes (head porters), all of which demonstrate the government’s commitment to delivering on its promises. “When we propose ideas, people often laugh, but we’ve consistently turned those ideas into reality,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia underscored the economic and social benefits of the electric buses, noting that they will significantly reduce transportation costs by 40-50%. “This initiative will make transportation more affordable and comfortable for everyone. If other countries can have electric buses, why not Ghana?” he questioned.
He concluded by reaffirming his next administration’s dedication to innovation and progress, urging Ghanaians to embrace the changes and trust in the government’s vision for a better future.
