The Deputy Managing Director of Metro Mass Transit, Haroun Apaw Wiredu, has dismissed claims by former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia that the Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo government brought 100 electric buses into Ghana, clarifying that only 10 buses were delivered.
In an interview on Adom TV morning show monitored by Kumasimail, Apaw Wiredu explained that upon assuming office in 2025, his team discovered that the reported 100-electric-bus fleet was a misconception and described the claim as “false and empty propaganda.”
“The Vice President announced that 100 electric buses had been purchased and handed over to Metro Mass,” Apaw Wiredu stated.
“Consequently, we expected to find 100 buses in operation when we took over. However, we were informed that although there was a plan to buy 100 buses, payment was only made for 10,” he added.
Regarding the electric bus infrastructure, Apaw Wiredu noted that part of the contract required the installation of three charging points at key locations: Wa Kimbu, Adenta, and the Metro Mass head office.
“Currently, only the Adenta charging point has been installed,” he revealed.
He further raised concerns about the quality and functionality of the charging system, explaining that while a fully functional charger should charge a bus within 30 minutes, many buses have had to remain at charging stations for over two hours without a full charge.
“This led us to suspect problems with the chargers,” he said, adding that the chargers appear to be of substandard quality, suitable for home use rather than commercial electric vehicles.
Following these issues, the new managing director directed that all chargers and related equipment be submitted to the Ghana Standards Authority for investigation.
Apaw Wiredu also refuted claims that the government or Metro Mass Transit was blocking the delivery of the remaining 90 buses.
“It is neither President Mahama nor Metro Mass responsible for withholding the other buses; the real issue lies with the problematic charging system,” he said.
He emphasized that the Wa Kimbu location currently lacks any charging infrastructure, making it difficult for buses operating between Kimbu and Tema to charge efficiently.
Although the buses are supposed to travel 250 kilometers before requiring a recharge, they are currently able to cover only 160 kilometers on a full charge.
Background:
Former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia on Wednesday, November 27, outdoored the first batch of 100 fleet of electric buses (EVs) for the Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMT) to revamp its operations and improve Ghana’s transportation system.
The initiative which we were told forms part of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia Government’s ambition to modernise, innovate and transform the country’s public transport sector.
The pilot phase of the programme has, therefore, set the benchmark for integrating green technology into Ghana’s public transportation system and ensuring healthier and efficient transport.
Inaugurating the 100 buses at Adentan, a suburb of Accra, Vice President Bawumia said the introduction of the EVs would lower the cost of public transport by 40 to 50 per cent.
The intervention, he said, would also reduce the operational and maintenance cost of the MMT by 50 per cent.
“I’m so elated to stand before you to commission the first batch of electric buses for Metro Mass Transit Limited to augment its fleet, promote its operations and usher in a new era of innovation in the delivery of public transport services,” he said.
Source: Kwadwo Owusu
