News
81% of Passengers Feel Safer Using Ride-Hailing Services than Traditional Public Transport
A new safety perception report conducted by Ipsos, a multinational market research and consulting firm, has revealed that 81% of passengers in Ghana feel safer using ride-hailing services compared to traditional public transport.
The report, commissioned by Bolt, was presented at a press briefing in Accra last week.
DVLA Commends Findings
Speaking at the event, Mr. Albert Potobu, Acting Deputy Director of Research, Business Development and Innovation at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), described the report as a timely resource to support national efforts in enhancing road transport safety.
“Safety for both riders and drivers is our priority as an Authority. While we are working on a more comprehensive safety study, this report provides valuable insights that will feed into our work,” he said.
Mr. Potobu emphasised the importance of discipline, education, and technology integration to ensure safety across all transport modes.
“Before any driver is enrolled on a ride-hailing app, the DVLA ensures their license, roadworthiness, and documentation are valid. This helps maintain standards and safety on our roads,” he added.
Encouraging Technological Adaptation
With more Ghanaians shifting from traditional transport modes such as trotros to e-hailing platforms, Mr. Potobu urged the sector to adapt rather than resist technological advancement.
“Technology is evolving. Instead of seeing it as competition, other transport operators must improve safety standards to remain relevant,” he advised.
He acknowledged that, like any new technology, ride-hailing platforms present challenges, but stressed that regulators and service providers are collaborating to address emerging issues.
Bolt’s Safety Features and Commitment
Ms. Sandra Susan Boyole, Regional Public Relations Manager for Bolt Africa, expressed excitement at the high safety rating given by passengers.
“This is a great endorsement for us. It shows trust and confirms that ride-hailing is solving a major safety challenge in Ghana’s transport system,” she said.
Ms. Boyole highlighted several features currently available on the Bolt app to protect riders and drivers, including audio trip recording, live trip sharing with loved ones, and in-trip incident reporting.
She added that Bolt is continuously enhancing its safety toolkit and welcomes user feedback, including suggestions for a feature to recover items left behind by passengers.
“Feedback from regulators, drivers, and passengers helps us evolve. We are open to enhancing our systems to make our ecosystem safer,” she noted.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu & Theresa Dzifa Tsetse
Spectator
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A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
