Senior Fellow at Africa Policy Lens, Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, has called on the Ghanaian government to account for the deployment of newly acquired Metro Mass Transit buses. This comes as commuters across Ghana begin paying higher public transport fares. Dr. Zaato raised concerns on The Big Issue on September 26, 2026, questioning why the buses were not visibly operating on Ghanaian roads.
Dr. Zaato argued that if the vehicles were procured to expand public transport capacity and alleviate pressure on commuters, their presence should be readily apparent within the transport system. He claimed to have seen images on social media showing some of the buses parked rather than actively operating. This prompted him to question the rationale for keeping them out of regular service.
The government had previously indicated that buses had been imported from Egypt, and Dr. Zaato argued that their deployment had become particularly important following the latest fare adjustment. Mass public transportation remains a fundamental component of national transport systems, irrespective of a country's level of economic development. An effective public transport network can increase passenger carrying capacity and provide alternatives to privately operated commercial vehicles.
The government's bus programme is more extensive than the immediate number questioned by Dr. Zaato. In April 2026, the government announced a programme to procure 300 new 29-seater buses for Metro Mass Transit Limited. The first 100 buses arrived in Ghana and were formally inaugurated by Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang on May 22, 2026.
The remaining 200 buses were expected to arrive in subsequent batches. The buses were presented as an intervention intended to strengthen Metro Mass Transit operations, increase passenger capacity, and improve the reliability of public transportation. At the commissioning ceremony, the government indicated that the vehicles would also support night operations, shift workers, and late evening economic activity.
Reports in May and June indicated that buses had been allocated to parts of the country, with commuters in the Volta and Oti Regions welcoming the new vehicles. The Western Region received 11 of the 100 buses. Metro Mass Transit subsequently clarified in June that the 100 new buses were primarily intended for intercity services across Ghana rather than specifically for intra-city operations in Accra.
The debate has gained renewed significance following the latest adjustment in transport charges. The Ghana Private Road Transport Union and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council announced that approved public transport fares would rise by 8% from September 26, 2026. Dr. Zaato's intervention places renewed attention on the relationship between public investment in mass transportation and the availability of affordable and reliable services for commuters.
Key points
- Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato questions the deployment of newly acquired Metro Mass Transit buses amid rising public transport fares.
- The Ghanaian government procured 300 new buses to strengthen Metro Mass Transit operations and improve public transportation.
- Public transport fares in Ghana have risen by 8% due to changes in fuel prices, spare parts, vehicle maintenance, and other operating costs.
