The Deputy Minister of Transport and MP for Jomoro, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has revealed that this is part of a broader commitment to add over 300 buses to the Metro Mass Transit (MMT) fleet within the year.

Speaking in an interview, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the government is working tirelessly to address the transportation deficit in the country.

“We have been to Egypt, India, and Dubai to procure buses to augment MMT operations,” she stated.

“The arrival of these first 100 mini-buses in March proves that we are not sitting idle or unconcerned about the struggles the masses face regarding transport.”

The initiative is strategically timed to modernize public transit and reduce heavy reliance on “trotro” services ahead of the busy Easter festive season.

The new 29-seater buses are not just standard transit vehicles; the minister describes them as “smartphones on wheels” due to their advanced technological integration.

She explained that the buses are designed to improve passenger experience and operational oversight with key features like onboard phone charging ports for passengers, a “Tap n’ Go” automated ticketing system for contactless transactions, and Real-Time Tracking Passenger Information Systems (RTPI) allowing commuters to track arrival times and reduce waiting periods.

It also has Fleet Telematics Advanced monitoring systems to track routes and analyze driver behavior in real-time.

Miss Affo-Toffey outlined a strict maintenance routine to avoid the trend of new buses falling into disrepair.

She indicated that manufacturers and investors will be directly involved in the maintenance of the fleet for the first 12 months.

MMT workshop offices across the country are also going to be equipped with spare parts to ensure rapid repairs.

Likewise, local MMT engineers will undergo intensive training during the 12-month grace period to take over full technical management of the fleet.

The Deputy Minister also reported successful engagements with the private sector, noting that additional private-led bus arrivals are expected between March and April.

She noted that these efforts are aimed at creating a “sustainable and appealing alternative to private car ownership.”

The Jomoro lawmaker appealed for public patience, urging citizens to remain calm and support the administration’s “Resetting Agenda” for the transport sector.

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This, he said, had compounded the operational and financial challenges confronting the state-owned transport company.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, the MD disclosed that the container was imported under the company’s previous management, but was never cleared from the port, leading to mounting charges and missed opportunities to deploy much-needed buses onto the roads.

“That (container) full of steppers was given to us by VDL Company. Our predecessors actually brought that container,” he explained.

He said that since the matter was brought to his attention, management had taken action to have the container cleared from the port.

This process, he said, involved extensive engagement with state institutions, including the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), as management sought to understand why the container had remained stuck at the port for so long and what was required to clear it.

After months of follow-up engagements with relevant authorities and administrative processes, the MD indicated that Metro Mass was now on the verge of clearing the container.

“If government could waive some direct taxes and VAT on our imports, it would greatly help our operations,” he said. 

Context

Recent disruption in the public transport space in Accra and Kumasi in particular, has thrown the spotlight on the MMTL, the state intra-city urban transport operator.

While commuters remained stranded on routine routes and had to trek long distances, MMTL could not deploy at optimal capacity because of operational challenges and the poor condition of its buses.

Revenue

Mr Cezar said the previous management had over 185 operational buses, but today, Metro Mass runs between 120 and 130 buses, although revenue has significantly increased.

According to the MD, the previous management mobilised between GH¢8.5 million and GH¢9 million monthly, but even with fewer buses on the road now, the company could mobilise over GH¢15 million monthly.

He attributed this improvement largely to sealing financial leakages, particularly through the expansion of electronic ticketing systems.

“They introduced an IT solution for collecting tickets, but it was only (utilised for) about 40 to 50 per cent (of the company’s operations).

Now, we are (doing) almost 100 per cent,” Mr Cezar said.

The wider rollout of electronic ticketing, he explained, had drastically reduced revenue losses that previously undermined efficiency and effectiveness.

Much of the revenue, he said, was currently being used to service accumulated debts, but the company was now able to meet its monthly obligations, including salaries, pension contributions, and structured debt repayments.

Inherited challenges

The MD of Metro Mass said when he assumed office, the company was burdened by severe financial, operational, and welfare challenges.

He disclosed that some workers, including conductors and key frontline staff, were earning as little as GH¢770 a month.

Mr Cezar said management had implemented a 20 per cent salary increase and later set a new minimum wage of GH¢1,300 for the lowest-paid workers.

He said regular salary payments had also been restored, with workers now paid by the third week of each month.

He further revealed that the company inherited massive statutory and non-statutory debts, including unpaid pension contributions, tax arrears, fuel debts, and multiple court judgments arising from breached contracts under previous administrations.

In some cases, Mr Cezar said, penalties exceeded the original principal amounts owed.

Despite these challenges, the MD said, Metro Mass had stabilised through decisive reforms, including the tightening of procurement systems and the near-complete rollout of an electronic ticketing system, which he said had significantly reduced revenue leakages.

Mr Cezar said the current management aimed to position Metro Mass to become an ultra-modern public transport outfit within the next two years.

He said the aim was to grow the company’s fleet to at least 2,000 buses by the end of his tenure.

“People say this is overambitious, but when you look at our operational routes and the huge demand for our services, that is the number required to fully capitalise this company,” he said.

He also revealed plans to establish a fully fledged cargo transport unit to respond to increasing demand from institutions and businesses, adding that the company’s current cargo buses were not fit for purpose.

The MD assured the public that Metro Mass was committed to supporting the government’s vision of a reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly public transport system.

He said that the President was engaging investors to retool Metro Mass and strengthen public transport delivery.

Mr Cezar said the broader vision was to build a resilient urban transport system capable of supporting the government’s 24-hour Economy policy.

“For a 24-hour economy to work, there must be a 24-hour transport system.

No economy can thrive without an effective and efficient public transport network,” he added.

He reiterated that Metro Mass remained committed to its social mandate of providing affordable transport services, particularly to underserved and low-income communities.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Adu Boahen explained that when he assumed office in 2018, the company was in a dire state, with only about 120 operational buses out of over 1,500 allocated to the company since its inception.

According to him, many of the buses had outlived their usefulness and were either cannibalised for spare parts or scattered across the country with major mechanical faults.

He revealed that in 2012, about 400 buses procured under former President John Agyekum Kufuor were sold at GH¢500 each after being valued and stripped of usable parts, with similar exercises carried out in 2014.

Mr. Adu Boahen stressed that the disposal of buses is guided by technical assessments, inspections, and a board of survey, rejecting claims that buses were sold cheaply under his watch.

He clarified that buses disposed of between 2022 and 2024 were sold at prices ranging from GH¢3,000 to GH¢40,000, generating about GH¢3.2 million from the sale of 312 buses.

His comments come in response to allegations by the Deputy Managing Director of MMTL, Haroun Apaw Wiredu, who claimed that 313 buses were sold barely two months before the 2020 elections, some for as low as GH¢2,500, describing the process as a criminal scheme.

Mr. Adu Boahen dismissed the allegations, maintaining that all disposals were lawful and properly documented.

“We have a technical department, including a survey board, involved in the cannibalisation and inspection process, and an evaluation report is available. It is not true that we sold the buses for GH¢2,500 each, nor is it accurate that we generated GH¢2.5 million from those sales. According to the report from the disposal committee, we generated GH¢3.2 million from the sale of the 312 buses. When we took over, the company was in disarray, but it improved significantly after we acquired Daewoo buses,” he said.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Adu Boahen said that when he took over management in 2018, Metro Mass was in crisis, recording an annual loss of about GH¢43 million.

He explained that the situation improved significantly after the introduction of Daewoo and DAF buses, which helped stabilize operations. Losses were reduced to about GH¢18 million before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted services, causing losses to rise again.

“Before I left office, the company had moved from loss to profit. In 2024, we recorded about GH¢12 million in profit,” he said.

Mr. Adu Boahen attributed Metro Mass’ previous challenges largely to revenue leakages, alleging that some staff failed to account for fares collected. He noted that the introduction of an IT-based revenue system helped curb corruption and improve financial performance.

His comments come amid allegations by the Deputy Managing Director of MMTL, Haroun Apaw Wiredu, who claimed that 313 buses were sold as unserviceable shortly before the 2020 general elections, with some reportedly sold for as low as GH¢2,500. Mr. Wiredu described the process as a criminal scheme involving the deliberate cannibalisation of buses.

Mr. Adu Boahen, however, maintained that he inherited a fleet plagued by aged and faulty buses and insisted that the management decisions taken during his tenure were aimed at reviving the company and restoring its financial health.

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He disclosed that some of the buses were sold for extremely low amounts, with one reportedly going for just GH¢2,500.

Speaking on Accra-based TV3, Mr. Wiredu said the management of the company at the time operated what he described as a criminal scheme known as “cannibalisation,” in which buses with minor faults were deliberately written off and sold cheaply to cronies.

According to him, internal reports indicate that more than 400 buses were intentionally tagged as unserviceable and sold to individuals linked to the system.

“By 2017, when the previous government took the reins of power, it will surprise you to know that around 2017 and 2018, they declared over 400 buses unserviceable. Those buses were scrapped and sold to certain individuals associated with the system,” he said.

“Then, two months before the 2020 election in October, another 313 buses were sold among some cronies. When I reviewed the report, I realized that a whole Metro Mass bus was sold for a paltry GH¢2,500,” Mr. Wiredu added.

He explained further how the alleged scheme operated.

“What we realized was that the then management was involved in a business we called cannibalisation. Cannibalisation is a deliberate act—they saw scrapping buses as a low-hanging fruit, a way to milk the system,” he said.

“Deliberately, they would remove parts from a bus, and when it reached a certain point, they declared it unserviceable. Once declared unserviceable, they would call someone to buy it for, say, GH¢2,500 official fee,” he noted.

Since assuming office in March 2025, the new management has taken steps to investigate the matter, including engaging external auditors.

“We commissioned external auditors to get this issue resolved once and for all, and they submitted a draft report to us last week for our consideration,” he added.

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Transportation in Accra has deteriorated in recent days, with commuters facing long queues and inflated fares, particularly during peak hours.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, told Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Friday, January 16, that the Transport Ministry had ordered that the buses, which were grounded due to breakdowns, be repaired swiftly.

“He has ordered that they should be fixed quickly, so we expect that in a matter of a day or two, they should be back on the road, about 10 large-capacity buses belonging to MMT. We believe that this will ease the situation a lot,” he said.

The development comes after commuters in the Greater Accra Region, particularly in Madina, Amasaman, and Kasoa, endured long waiting times and inflated fares during morning and evening rush hours, a problem that worsened during the December 2025 festive season.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu also noted that government interventions, including the temporary deployment of about 40 buses from the State Transport Company (STC), had provided partial relief, but some drivers reverted to old habits, prompting the renewed efforts to restore the MMT fleet.

The return of the 10 MMT buses is expected to reduce congestion, improve travel efficiency, and provide much-needed relief for frustrated commuters in the capital.

Meanwhile, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is scheduled to visit the Ministry of Transport on Friday, January 16, to discuss persistent challenges in the public transport sector, with a particular focus on the Greater Accra Region.

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Over 70 buses at the depot, abandoned due to mechanical issues, were at risk of being dismantled for parts.

The incident follows a series of attacks on state institutions across the country after the winner of the December 7th elections was declared.

In Kumasi, some individuals had been dismantling buses that were out of service and attempting to sell their parts.

Speaking to Joy News, Mr. Addai Dapaah expressed concern about the situation, saying:

“We are here to protect government property. We want to ensure this institution survives. It is crucial that we keep this business alive and create jobs for the youth.”

He added that the group had successfully prevented the sale of about 79 buses, which were nearly sold off as scrap metal.

“We cannot allow this institution to collapse,” he noted.

The Metro Mass security coordinator, Alhaji Najj, condemned the vandalism, calling it an act of hooliganism that must not be tolerated.

“We will not let this happen again. The people of Bantama are determined to protect this institution. Knowing that they are going into opposition, they want to bring down this institution, but we are here to fight against that,” he stated.

The intervention comes as Metro Mass Transit faces growing challenges in maintaining its vehicles, with a significant number of buses grounded.

Mr. Addai Dapaah and his party members promised to continue protecting the institution from further attacks.

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Speaking on Adom TV Badwam show, he called for the removal of the taxes and levies on fuel and lubricants for the public transport system.

The former Chairman of the Roads and transport committee of Parliament indicated that, the move will save Metro Mass Transit and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Aayalolo transits 30% operational cost.

“I’m appealing to government to support Metro Mass and Aayalolo. There is no where around the globe that a company that provides intra-city services/bus system is not given subsidies. That is why Aayalolo and Metro Mass are suffering. At least let’s exempt the fuel and lubricants taxes and levies,” he said.

“When I was chairman for the Roads Committee, we did an analysis that showed that if taxes and levies on fuel and lubricants are removed from theirs, it will save them 30% of their operational cost. I made that proposal in Parliament but I didn’t get the support,” the former MP bemoaned.

Mr Aye Paye is convinced if Metro Mass and Aayalolo work efficiently, productivity will increase.

Commuters including workers and students on the Accra-Nsawam stretch who rely on commercial drivers are left stranded mostly during weekdays.

Due to the construction works on the major road, residents at Pokuase, Amasaman, Pobiman and its environs spend hours by the roadside before getting buses to their destinations.

The non-availability of access roads and potholes have left many buses in a bad state leading to a hike in transportation fares.

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The Corporate Affairs Manager of Metro Mass Limited, George Krobea Asante in an interview with JoyNews said it can no longer contain the incessant increases in fuel prices.

According to the company, it has not changed its fares all throughout the several increments in fuel prices.

Mr. Asante Krobea said the intended action will aid the company to stay afloat.

“For instance, for Metro Mass, since these fuel prices started changing, we have not reviewed our fares. It is now that we are looking forward to increasing our fares a bit so that we can keep the company running because other than that, there is no way we will be able to keep the company on its feet.

“Within this year alone, prices of fuel or petroleum products have changed for not less than five times if I am not wrong and we have not reviewed our fares, we still take the old fares,” he said.

Currently, petrol and diesel prices are being sold at an average of ¢18 and ¢23 per litre, from the previous prices of ¢15 and ¢19 per litre respectively.

Already, some leading OMCs have adjusted the prices of petroleum products at their pumps.

Last week, a popular long-distance transport service VIP Jeoun increased its fares for travellers across the country.

The increment, they said is because the company is unable to shoulder the operational cost accompanying the current developments.

The upward adjustment affects both the Standard Tour and Executive coaches, per the statement issued on October 23, 2022.

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The staff union is also demanding the removal of two other top executives, arguing their continuous stay in office will collapse the company.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, an executive, Francis Gyampa, said the plight of workers continues to worsen with no attention from management.

These among other things, he noted, have accounted for the strike.

“Management has refused to pay some deductions effected on staff salaries at various periods since 2018, personal loans deducted at the source, tier two and three pension scheme deductions.

“Thus, for the past five years, no Metro Mass Transit Limited worker has received a full salary. After 20 years in operations, MMTL has virtually no salary structure,” he said.

Reacting to the strike action, the Public Relations Officer of MMT, George Krobea Asante, said he has every right to declare it illegal.

This, according to him, is because the group has not followed due processes, also the Divisional Union Chairman says he is not aware of the strike action.

Admitting there have been some arrears, he, however, stated it dates back to 2016, adding it is not as a result of poor managerial skills.

Mr Asante said the current management has done its best to pay off some arrears but there is still a lot to be paid because it is not easy to work, mobilise and pay.

“At a point, workers for four months weren’t paid salaries. These workers complain every time that we do not have buses and blame management but they try to sabotage every MD who comes to change the phase of the company,” he added.

The action, according to them, is to protest Mr Gyau’s non-performance and his refusal to attend to the plight of workers.

Speaking in an interview with Adom News, Welfare Chairman of the workers union, Isahaku said Mr Gyau has turned a blind eye while buses that need servicing rot away.

He added that his tenure of office is over and is on contract that has been renewed two times and yet has failed to work up to their expectations.

He stressed their fear was that the manager might push for a renewal a third time.

“He is not helping us so we want him to leave. Some of the buses just need their tyres fixed yet he has refused to do the needful and they have been packed for the past six months,” he fumed.

Mr Gyau, speaking in the same interview, did not deny or accept the allegation but noted he has been in the transport service since 1984 which began with Omnibus Service Authority.

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He argued that it will not be out of place even if he wants to renew his contract a third time.

“People in different departments and companies get contracts and they are renewed over the years so mine is not a special case,” he said.

Though the cause of fire is yet to be known, the incident reportedly occurred around 3:pm on Wednesday afternoon.

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Information indicated that the whereabouts of the driver and passengers on board were yet to be established.

Reports indicate heavy traffic is building up on the stretch due to the accident.

A twitter user, who posted a video from the scene, urged motorists to be cautious.

More soon….

Lawal Fuseini, who was the Security Coordinator of the Metro Mass company had petitioned the Special Prosecutor over financial malpractices and procurement breaches within the company.

A letter signed by the Deputy Managing Director of the company, Richard Osei Bamfo and sighted by Citi News stated the reasons for the Security Coordinator’s dismissal:

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“It is rather regrettable to note that there have been series of infractions on the company’s rules and regulations by you for which sanctions have been suspended in hopes that you will turn over a new leaf so management will reconsider its decision on these cases. Unfortunately contrary to management expectations, your unbridled recalcitrance has known no bounds over the period. These days you display confidential information on the company on various social media platforms patronized by staff and make all kinds of unpalatable comments about the company.”

“What is worrying is that you go about all these with impunity. Indeed, your conduct is unbecoming of a security coordinator whose primary function is to protect the image of the company by securing its critical interest. Your penchant for sharing company information on social media, contrary to administrative instruction is very disappointing, to say the least. The disciplinary authority has carefully considered your base conduct and its impact on staff discipline and has decided that your services be dispensed with to rid the company of deviant behaviours which have the tendency of creating indiscipline among staff and denting the corporate image.”

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Staff accusations

Lawal had accused Mr. Aboagye [the then MD of MMT] of undertaking some shady deals as well as attempting to bribe whistle-blowers in the company.

Lawal also claimed that the transport company also pays five thousand Cedis monthly to Mr. Aboagye to fuel his official car although he has been at home since May 2018.

In addition, the company, according to Mr. Lawal and other staff, was paying for servicing the car used by the MD who was interdicted after the Office of the Special Prosecutor was petitioned to investigate allegations of fraud and procurement malpractices in April 2018.

Lawal and other petitioners said Mr. Bennet Aboagye had been paid over 280,000 Ghana Cedis since May 2018 when he was interdicted by the Board of the company.

In the petition delivered to CHRAJ on March 26th, the petitioners demanded quick investigations and action.

The petitioners called on CHRAJ to as a matter of urgency to investigate and retrieve the said monies from the former managing director of the company.

The Board of Directors of the Metro Mass Transit Limited asked Mr. Aboagye, to step aside with immediate effect.

Source: Citifm

Deputy Minister of Transport, Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, has revealed that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) owes the Metro Mass Transit (MMT) Limited about GH¢ 1.5 million aside debts owed by some Members of Parliament (MP).

According to Hon Titus-Glover, who doubles as the MP for the Tema East constituency, debt collectors will soon be tasked to go after the people as a move to revamp the operations of the MMT.

 “I can say on authority that some MPs owe the MMT and the NDC alone owes about GH¢ 1.5 million. Some of these buses were hired for their campaigns and to convey electorate to their polling stations during the 2016 elections but payments have still not been made,” he stated on Accra-based Accra FM, monitored by Adomonline.com.

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Mr Titus-Glover added that “I am aware the Board has given the Managing Director the approval to engage debt collectors to retrieve the money because the company needs money to buy fuel, to pay salaries and other expenses.”

The Minister urged the debt collectors, who would be engaged, to do their best to retrieve all debts owed the company to revamp its operations.

Source: Adomonline.com | Gertrude Otchere

The workers said the Company has sanctioned the purchase of $108,000 luxurious vehicle for the Managing Director at a time when over 100 buses required urgent maintenance.

Clad in red with others wielding placards with various writings, the workers said they want government to stop the purchase of the vehicle with immediate effect.

The protests have brought all other activities at the company to a halt.

Workers Union Chairman, Emmanuel Awatey told Joy News’ Maxwell Agbagba Wednesday, management has not shown much concern about the company.

He said their workshops are loaded with broken down vehicles that have not been repaired because of the lack of spare parts.

“Every time they say they don’t have money but they are going to buying the vehicle for the MD and were able to pay a consultant who is a pharmacist ¢9, 000,” he said.

Mr Awatey also raised issues with the working condition of his members, which he said has reduced the quality of their lives.

“We haven’t receive our salary and allowance which is ¢10 per a trip for more than three months now,” he lamented.

Mr Awatey told the reporter, the Company owes Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL) the sum of ¢10,000 of fuel supply and no attempt has been made to defray it.

Joy News’ Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Ohemeng Tawiah reported the situation is not different in Kumasi.

Scores of commuters, hoping to come to Accra, have been left stranded because the drivers have abandoned their vehicles.

“Commercial vehicles have taken over the Metro Mass Transit Depot in Kumasi as workers of the later embark on a sit down strike in protest over better conditions of service,” the reporter said.

An attempt to get a word from MMT’s Managing Director, Bennett Aboagye was unsuccessful when he drove into the company’s premises at 10am.

Joy News’ Maxwell Agbagba reported meeting Mr Aboagye and the company’s Legal Head at the Accra Office and they looked surprised at the turn of events.

According to them, misappropriation of funds by management had left the company in debt citing GH¢3.5 million owed the Ghana Oil Company (GOIL) to corroborate their claim.

The workers stated that most of their buses have been grounded following what they call the failure of the management to account for some monies meant for the maintenance of the buses and their upkeep as a whole.

One worker who spoke to Adom News said “We are not happy with how the management is treating the workers and how they are managing the company.

“As we speak, management cannot account for about GHC500,000 belonging to the company” he stressed.

They are therefore calling on government to change the management of the company to salvage it from collapse.

Click on attached audio for more

Meanwhile, efforts to get management to comment on the matter proved futile.