Bawumia lauded for transforming Kayayei into professional bus drivers  

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has been commended for his visionary leadership in transforming the lives of female head porters, commonly known as kayayeis, into qualified bus drivers through the Kayayei Empowerment Programme.  

The initiative was spotlighted at the launch of electric buses for public transportation in Accra on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, where the Managing Director of Greater Accra Public Transport Executives (GAPTE), Charles Annan, recounted how Dr Bawumia spearheaded the project.  

"The Vice President wanted to move the *kayayeis* from carrying goods on their heads to carrying passengers in buses," Mr Annan revealed, acknowledging his initial scepticism about the feasibility of the vision.  

With GAPTE’s support and commitment to the Vice President’s vision, 50 young women have transitioned from head porters to professional bus drivers within five months.  

"For the Vice President to have this vision and task us to deliver it, we will forever be grateful to him for this transformation," Mr. Annan stated, expressing pride in GAPTE’s role in the programme.  

The Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund, Irene Naa Torshie echoed these sentiments, describing her joy in witnessing the transformation of the kayayeis.  

Dr. Bawumia, visibly impressed with the results, highlighted the programme’s success as an example of what Ghana can achieve with bold and strategic decisions.  

"A young lady who was a *kayayei* a few months ago is now a bus driver. This shows that when we take the right decisions, we can transform this country," he said, emphasising his philosophy of fostering a "mindset of possibilities."  

Empowering women  

For the beneficiaries, the programme has been life-changing. One of the newly trained drivers expressed her gratitude, stating, "As a woman, this is life-changing for me and for my colleagues. We won’t have to rely on anyone, or a man, for our livelihood. We are very grateful to Dr Bawumia for this opportunity."  

The Kayayei Empowerment Programme, which also includes training in skills such as beads making, soap production, and fashion design, has become a beacon of hope for thousands of young women, offering them opportunities to break free from cycles of poverty.