Transport Operators of Ghana have expressed skepticism regarding Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia’s recent pledge to implement a ten-year renewal policy for driver’s licenses.
In a press statement released on August 13, 2024, the operators acknowledged the idea as a potentially beneficial policy but warned that it might be another ploy to secure votes from drivers ahead of the 2024 elections.
The group highlighted the challenges that drivers, particularly commercial drivers, have faced under the current administration, led by President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia.
They pointed to the introduction of the Sanitation and Pollution Levy (SPL) on petroleum products and other taxes as key factors contributing to the rising cost of fuel, which has had a significant impact on the livelihoods of drivers.
The operators also criticized the government for the steep increases in the cost of acquiring, renewing, and replacing driver’s licenses and roadworthy certificates.
They further noted that despite Bawumia’s 2020 election pledge to introduce electric vehicles for drivers under a hire-purchase scheme, no vehicles have been provided, even as his tenure nears its end.
The statement also referenced a recent unfulfilled promise by Dr. Bawumia at the GPRTU executive elections in Kasoa, where he pledged to address penalties imposed on vehicle owners for delayed roadworthy certificate renewals due to vehicles being in workshops.
The operators expressed concern that this was yet another instance of unkept promises.
The transport operators urged drivers to remain vigilant and not be swayed by new promises, suggesting that the Vice President’s latest pledge might be another attempt to win over drivers as he leads the NPP into the 2024 elections.
The group called on Dr. Bawumia to demonstrate his commitment by removing the taxes his government placed on petroleum products, reducing the costs associated with driving licenses, roadworthy certificates, and vehicle registration, and fulfilling his previous pledges before introducing any new ones.
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