Bawumia unveils Ghana’s first fleet of electric buses

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has inaugurated Ghana’s first fleet of 100 electric buses, marking a groundbreaking shift in the nation’s public transportation system.

The launch event, held at Ritz in Accra on Wednesday, 27th November, introduced these environmentally friendly and cost-effective buses, which operate on electric charging systems instead of fuel.

Dr. Bawumia hailed the initiative as a historic milestone for Ghana, emphasising its alignment with global sustainability and innovation standards.

“Today, we are making history. The commissioning of these electric buses signals a visionary shift in our approach to public transportation, centred on sustainability and innovation,” he said.

Highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change and air pollution, he stated, “The impact of fossil fuel-powered vehicles on the environment is no longer a distant threat but an urgent reality requiring immediate action.”

The Vice President underscored the economic advantages of the electric buses, noting their operational costs are approximately 50% lower than those of diesel-powered buses. This cost efficiency is expected to reduce transport fares, benefit operators, and enable Metro Mass Transit to invest in fleet expansion and modernisation.

“The economic benefits are immense. Lower operating and maintenance costs will lead to more affordable transport fares, efficient resource utilisation, and a reinvestment in public transport infrastructure,” he added.

Dr. Bawumia also addressed scepticism about the project’s feasibility, asserting that if other countries can successfully deploy electric buses, Ghana can and should do the same.

The initial rollout will focus on the Adenta–Accra and Ashaiman–Accra routes, with fares set to be approximately 50% lower than those of traditional public transport. Plans are in place to expand the fleet to other regions across the country next year.