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
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The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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