News
Metro Mass sold 313 scrap buses for GHC2,500 each in 2020- Deputy MD reveals
The Deputy Managing Director of Metro Mass Transit Ltd, Haroun Apaw Wiredu, has disclosed that the company sold 313 unserviceable buses for about GHC2,500 each in October 2020.
According to him on TV3 Ghana, internal records show that the buses were declared unserviceable and disposed of during the period, generating about GHC2.9 million.
The money was expected to be paid into a bus acquisition account.
Mr Apaw Wiredu explained that Metro Mass was established in 2003 and inherited buses and assets from the defunct State Transport Corporation. At its peak, the company had over 1,000 buses nationwide.
He outlined that by 2017, Metro Mass had about 1,100 buses, with more than 600 operational and over 500 undergoing repairs.
However, when the current management assumed office in March, the number of operational buses across the country had dropped sharply to about 115.
He noted that Ghana now has 16 regional capitals and over 260 district capitals, with a population far larger than when Metro Mass was established. Despite this, the company is currently operating the lowest number of buses in its history.
Mr Apaw Wiredu revealed that more scrap buses now exist than buses actively on route. He attributed this to what he described as deliberate cannibalisation by previous management.
He explained that buses were intentionally parked and stripped of usable parts such as tyres springs and other components to repair other buses. Once most parts were removed, the buses were declared unserviceable and sold cheaply.
He questioned how a complete bus could be sold for as little as GHC2,500, stressing that even in poor condition the value should have been higher.
The Deputy MD noted that although management has not been able to recover the sold buses, an external auditor has been engaged to investigate the matter. A draft audit report has already been submitted for review.
He further disclosed that despite operating only 115 buses, Metro Mass is currently recording its highest revenue ever. This improvement followed the full automation of the company’s revenue collection system.
He explained that the automation was introduced under a three month performance contract issued by President John Dramani Mahama to reduce revenue leakages and eliminate manual cash handling.
According to him, revenue collection has increased from about GHC9.3 million in previous years to between GHC13 million and GHC14 million monthly, even during low peak periods.
Mr Apaw Wiredu added that new procurement systems have been introduced to prevent abuse and ensure spare parts are properly tracked and used for their intended purposes.
He assured that management is committed to restoring accountability improving worker welfare and rebuilding Metro Mass to serve the growing transport needs of the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
