The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commissioned six new, fully air-conditioned buses to address the acute transportation challenges faced by its staff, particularly junior officers, in Accra’s congested traffic.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, directly responds to concerns staff raised during his initial engagement with workers upon assuming office earlier this year.
“Staff, particularly the junior staff, were concerned about their mode of transport to and from work,” Mr. Ablakwa stated at the handover ceremony. “I promised that within my first year in office, I would ensure we delivered buses to ease the daily stress our hardworking staff endure.”
The newly acquired 2025-model Toyota Coaster buses, each with 29 seats, were procured through a competitive process in compliance with Ghana’s public procurement laws. The Minister emphasized that detailed specifications were provided to ensure comfort, spaciousness, and value for money.
Mr. Ablakwa highlighted that the intervention comes amid growing national discourse on the inadequacies of urban transport and its toll on worker productivity and well-being. He expressed confidence that the buses would enhance punctuality, reduce pre- and post-work exhaustion, and better prepare staff, especially foreign service officers who often work long hours in formal attire.
Beyond staff welfare, the buses will also support the Ministry’s operational and protocol duties, including ferrying official delegations, a need heightened by upcoming end-of-year engagements and the Ministry’s Diaspora Summit.
The Minister charged assigned drivers to uphold road safety regulations and the Ministry’s esteemed image, warning that the public would be encouraged to report any misconduct. He also directed the Estate and General Services Bureau to implement a robust maintenance regime to ensure the vehicles’ longevity.
Ambassador Khadija Iddrisu, Chief Director of the Ministry, pledged that management would ensure the proper use and maintenance of the fleet.
Madam Ninette Ivo, a Director at the Estate and General Services Bureau, hailed the swift delivery of the buses within ten months of the initial complaint as a demonstration of “decisive and people-centred leadership.”
“These buses are an investment in staff welfare, punctuality, and productivity,” she said. “By easing our daily commute, they will allow us to arrive more energized and better prepared to serve our nation.”
The commissioning marks a significant step in the Ministry’s broader efforts to improve working conditions and institutional effectiveness.
