Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has laumched a ride-hailing app dubbed ‘GO Ride’, aimed at transforming the nation’s transport sector.
A public-private partnership with Transport for Ghana, the app underscores the government’s commitment to local business support, job creation, and economic growth through innovative, homegrown technology.
Addressing the launch on Wednesday October 30 in Accra, Dr. Bawumia expressed his pride in launching a solution designed to uplift local drivers, particularly members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU).
“GO Ride is not just another app; it represents a bold commitment to upgrade the trade of our local drivers. This is about restoring dignity to our drivers and ensuring that they thrive,” the Vice President stated.
He indicated that GO Ride’s competitive commission rate of just 10% would empower drivers to retain more of their earnings, thereby improving their financial stability.
According to him, for years local drivers in Ghana have faced challenges due to high commission rates from foreign-owned ride-hailing platforms, which cut into their income and destabilized their families’ financial security.
Dr. Bawumia explained that with GO Ride, those concerns will be addressed, bringing a sense of equity to the transportation sector.
He lauded GO Ride’s potential to boost Ghana’s economy by keeping profits within the country, creating wealth, and enhancing national development and shared his vision for a Ghana driven by local solutions, which can help conserve foreign exchange and bolster domestic job creation.
“Every ride taken on GO Ride contributes directly to Ghana’s development, helping to build a sustainable future for all of us,” Dr. Bawumia remarked.
He outlined the initiative’s broad economic impact, noting its potential to create jobs beyond driving, in sectors such as vehicle maintenance, banking, insurance, and customer support.
GO Ride leverages Ghana’s digital advancements, including the Ghana Card, the Digital Address System, Mobile Money Interoperability, and Ghana.Gov. These innovations lay the groundwork for a digital ecosystem that will make GO Ride a seamless experience.
The Vice President also introduced Tap ‘n Go, a local payment platform integrated into GO Ride for quick and secure digital transactions.
“Tap ‘n Go enables drivers and passengers to transact quickly and efficiently, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience,” he said.
This feature not only enhances customer satisfaction but supports Ghana’s fintech ecosystem, reinforcing the government’s commitment to digital financial inclusion.
The Vice President underscored how the app allows drivers to access the formal financial system, unlocking services such as loans and insurance.
This shift, he noted, promotes economic advancement by integrating drivers into the formal economy.
“By integrating our drivers into the formal economy, we are not just providing them with a platform to earn but also empowering them to build wealth and secure their futures,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia added that GO Ride bridges the gap between Ghana’s formal and informal sectors, fostering a more inclusive and equitable transport system.
“We must support our local drivers and ensure they are not left behind as our economy digitizes and modernizes,” he urged.
Dr. Bawumia celebrated the launch of GO Ride as a symbol of innovation, empowerment, and national pride and thanked the Ministry of Transport, Transport for Ghana, GPRTU, the National Road Safety Authority, and other stakeholders for their contributions to this initiative.
“Together, we can build a Ghana that is strong, resilient, and prosperous; a Ghana where our local solutions drive our growth, and our communities flourish. Today’s launch demonstrates clearly that it is possible to uplift our local drivers, create sustainable jobs, and ensure that our nation thrives through innovation and unity,” he added.