Concerned Drivers welcome GH¢400m bus allocation but call for retirement benefits

The Concerned Drivers Association has expressed welcome for the government's GH¢400 million budget allocation for more buses, but they lament the lack of plans to address drivers' retirement and welfare needs. Association head Williams Osei noted that while the proposed investment was promising, commercial drivers were seeking assurances for their financial security post-retirement.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced the budget during a Parliament presentation on November 12, 2026, with the funds being part of the GH¢724 million designated for the Transport Ministry in 2027. Osei expressed optimism that the government would follow through on its promise, despite limited progress since coming into power.

He pointed out that the bus procurement plan was not entirely novel, as it had been included in the election manifesto. However, he criticized the absence of specific policies to enhance the welfare of commercial drivers, particularly provisions for their retirement. Osei suggested implementing a pension scheme akin to SSNIT, wherein fuel purchases could be used to deduct contributions via biometric cards.

This move, he argued, would bolster drivers' financial security and ensure benefits upon retirement. The association's president also advocated for the creation of a National Drivers' Day to acknowledge the economic contributions of commercial drivers.