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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commissioned six new buses to improve staff welfare and productivity, with a particular focus on easing transportation challenges faced by junior staff commuting daily within Accra.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by the ministry to enhance working conditions and institutional effectiveness, especially during the festive season when pressure on public transport in the capital intensifies.
The buses were officially commissioned by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who explained that the move was a direct response to concerns raised by staff during his first engagement with them after assuming office earlier this year.
According to the minister, transportation difficulties featured prominently during his initial interactions with workers at the ministry. He said he committed to addressing the issue within his first year in office to reduce the daily stress staff endure while commuting.
The six vehicles are 2025-model Toyota Coaster buses, each a fully air-conditioned 29-seater. They were procured through a competitive process in line with Ghana’s public procurement laws, with specifications provided to ensure comfort, durability, and value for money.
Mr Ablakwa noted that long and stressful commutes often leave workers exhausted and less productive, adding that the provision of official transport would help improve punctuality, morale, and efficiency. He also explained that the buses would support operational duties such as protocol arrangements and logistics for official events and visiting delegations.
He urged drivers assigned to the buses to observe road safety regulations and uphold the image of the ministry, while tasking the Estate and General Services Bureau to enforce strict maintenance schedules to ensure the longevity of the vehicles.
Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Khadija Iddrisu, assured staff that management would ensure proper use and maintenance of the buses to protect the investment.
Director at the Estate and General Services Bureau, Ninette Ivo, described the commissioning as a timely intervention, noting that the transportation concerns were raised less than a year earlier. She said the delivery reflects decisive and people-centred leadership and will contribute to improved staff punctuality, energy levels, and overall productivity.
