Electric Buses In Ghana; Unveiled by Vice President Dr. Bawumia

Ghana's first fleet of electric buses was officially unveiled by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is also the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), marking a revolutionary change in the country's public transportation system.

The launch event, held in Accra on Wednesday, marked the debut of environmentally friendly and cost-efficient electric buses, a first for Ghana.

The buses, which run on electric charging systems rather than gasoline, are anticipated to provide a cleaner option for urban mobility while also drastically lowering transportation expenses.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Bawumia explained that the introduction of the buses is a historic act that embodies a "mindset of possibility" and aligns Ghana with global best practices in sustainability and innovation.

“Today, we are making history with the commissioning of these electric buses. It represents a visionary shift in how we approach public transport. Today, we are taking a definitive step towards revolutionizing the transport sector with sustainability and innovation at its core,” Dr. Bawumia added.

Electric Buses launched by Dr. Bawumia, Ghana's vice president
Photo: MBawumia

He also highlighted the environmental benefits of the electric vehicles, saying that the use of gasoline-powered cars affects climate and causes air pollution. And threats of fuel exudes are no longer distant but urgent realities that demand immediate action.

In terms of the economy, Dr. Bawumia underscored the financial benefits that electric buses will offer to both drivers and passengers. The program is expected to cut the cost of public transportation because its operating expenses are estimated to be 50% lower than those of buses that run on diesel.

“The economic benefits of using electric buses cannot be overemphasized. Electric buses offer lower operating and maintenance costs compared to conventional diesel buses. This will translate into more efficient resource use, lower transport fares, and enable Metro Mass to invest in fleet renewal and expansion,” he said.

The initial phase of the electric bus rollout will service the Adenta–Accra and Ashaiman–Accra routes. Next year, the program will expand, with additional buses set to serve other parts of the country.

Dr. Bawumia in E-Bus on the day of unvieling
Photo: MBawumia

The vice president also addressed skepticism surrounding the project, stating, “As usual, many said it was not possible. They said it was an election promise that would not be fulfilled. But that has been their mindset of impossibilities over the past 8 years. If other countries could deploy electric buses, why not Ghana?”

A GhanaWeb news article cited by Explore 3D-Notes showed that the electric buses will be managed in collaboration with Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL) and the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE).

GAPTE will be responsible for charging infrastructure and optimizing bus routes.