One hundred and sixty-five (165) out of the 245 Ayalolo buses procured by the then Akufo-Addo administration in 2016 are not operational, according to the Acting Managing Director of the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), Awudu Dawuda. Mr Dawuda disclosed on Thursday, January 15, 2026, while speaking to the media.

He noted that “Close to 60 of the buses were packed because they were broken down. What we did was to repair them through our own means to get them back on the road”. According to him, the 80 buses in operation have been distributed across several regions, with 60 assigned to Kumasi, 10 to Takoradi, and another 10 to Tamale.

“When it comes to urban mobility, we are all aware that it is important for the growth of any economy, especially when we are seeking to get more buses into the system. When I took over, we were left with only 80 buses out of the 245 buses that the government procured in 2016. The buses were procured to operate within Accra alone, but 60 were taken to Kumasi, 10 to Takoradi, and another 10 to Tamale at the behest of the then Ministry of Transport,” he explained.

The Aayalolo BRT system was introduced in 2016 with the aim of improving public transport accessibility for the masses at subsidized rates. However, its implementation has faced challenges, including insufficient operational buses and ineffective route management.

In 2023, Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, highlighted a concerning issue with Ghana's Ayalolo Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. At the time, he alleged that about 70 out of 245 buses with a mere 45 operational. While acknowledging the importance of embracing digital solutions, Mr. Simons emphasized that addressing the current operational issues should take precedence.

In a rebuttal, the then Transport Minister Kwaku Ofori Asiamah clarified that the Aayalolo BRT system in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area was not meeting expectations set by the World Bank, assuring that the Ministry will collaborate with other key stakeholders to revive the operations of the transport company.

In 2025, Deputy Minister of Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, announced via a social media post that 300 additional ISUZU buses would be delivered to strengthen Metro Mass Transit services.

“On behalf of the Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, under whose leadership I serve, I had the privilege of joining the management of Metro Mass Transit in Egypt for the final inspection of three hundred (300) ISUZU buses slated for delivery to Ghana,” Affo-Toffey stated.

She added that, “This important undertaking reflects the Minister’s clear vision and policy direction to strengthen Ghana’s public transport system through strategic investment in modern, reliable, and efficient mass transit.”

She noted that the move will reduce the daily stress faced by workers, students, and traders, help ease traffic congestion, bring down transport expenses, and support a more organised and environmentally friendly transport system.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police received a major boost in operational capacity, safety, and deterrence with the government’s delivery of 40 new armoured vehicles.

In a handing-over ceremony held at the Ghana Police Headquarters in Accra on Thursday, December 4, President Mahama, in his speech, commended the police for their hard work and efforts in bringing criminals to book, citing their resolve in tackling several cases of murder, armed robberies and other crimes in the country.

He said, “And you have dealt with them, people who robbed banks and attacked people’s residences.You have chalked up many victories in bringing them to justice. Let me commend the CID, too.

In the past, there were many unsolved murders. I’m happy to note that recently, many of the murders that occurred have been resolved. With good police intelligence, you’ve been able to bring the suspects to book.”

He noted that the 40 armoured vehicles given to the Service are only the first of many his government will hand over to the law enforcement agency, adding that two tow trucks and patrol pickups will also be supplied to police districts.

“These 40 vehicles are just the first batch of what you will be receiving. By the end of this month, you will receive two tow trucks so that anytime any of these vehicles becomes immobilised anywhere, you can pick it up and bring it back to base. You will also get 10 covert operational vehicles, which I have been cautioned not to talk about. It is only you who will know you have them. In addition, we want to give every police district a normal pickup for patrol duties”, the President said.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohunu, in an acceptance speech, assured the president that with vehicles, his outfit will tear down any criminal syndicate and launch a “robust and targeted operation throughout the country”.

“Your Excellency, these vehicles are going to completely change the face and dynamics of police operations. With these vehicles, we are going to launch very bold, robust, and targeted operations throughout the country. We will dismantle any existing criminal networks, most of whom have gone into hiding due to our intensified activities against them”, he noted.

He also sent a warning to individuals threatening national security, declaring that the Police Service will relentlessly pursue and apprehend anyone involved in criminal activities.

“Let me use this opportunity to send a strong word of caution to persons who have decided to threaten the security of this country: we are coming for you. You can run all you want and hide wherever you wish, but we will surely get you,” taunting the police service’s achievements so far under his leadership.

“We have made several breakthroughs. In addition to numerous robbery attempts that have been foiled through sustained intelligence operations, we have successfully arrested suspects who operated under the illusion that they could get away with crime. These include the suspect behind the rural bank robberies, the robbery of the Radiance Filling Station, the robbery at Enfasatia, attacks on mobile vendors, the Wire and Bullet serial murders, vehicle theft syndicates, and perpetrators behind fake online food-delivery platforms”.

IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohunu, also assured that the vehicles would be strategically deployed and properly maintained to achieve their intended objectives, commending the government for its intervention.

“We wish to sincerely express our profound gratitude to the government for thinking about us and prioritising our welfare. Our assurance to you is that the vehicles will be well-maintained and strategically deployed to achieve the intended objectives,” he said.

The event also saw the presence of Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak and numerous senior police officers, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting law enforcement agencies.

The Interior Minister, speaking at the commissioning, also mentioned that the enhanced security capacity of security services in ythe country should block all chances of criminal networks from operating and doing so effectively.

“Your time is up. The state is prepared. The police are prepared. The tools are ready. The intelligence is improving. And the public is increasingly vigilant.”

He said that security agencies will deal decisively with those involved in violent and organised crime. “Whether it is armed robbery, banditry, illegal mining, violence, trafficking, kidnapping, gang activities or terrorism, know that we will find you, we will stop you, and you will face the full force of the law” adding that Ghana, being described as a peaceful country, doesn’t mean it is defenceless.

“Ghana is a peaceful nation, but we are not defenceless.”The Minister explained that the new armoured vehicles would be deployed based on crime data and operational needs. He said the Interior Ministry will work closely with the Police Administration to ensure the vehicles are used effectively.

“Some will support high crime zones, others will reinforce highway patrol, others will be integrated into rapid response teams and special operations. Deployment will be guided by intelligence, operational need and proper chain of command,” he said.

He also highlighted the shift towards a more technology-driven policing model, supported by a new real-time crime centre being developed under the Inspector-General of Police.

“We are moving towards a policing model that is predictive, data-driven and technology-enabled. In this new era, crime will be confronted not only with courage, but with smart intelligence and modern tools.”