Government plans to introduce a digital platform that enables local taxi operators to compete favourably with ridesharing operators in the country by the end of this year, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said.
This follows an increasing decline of patronage for transportation services offered by taxi cab operators in the country with the emergence of several ride-hailing operators, including Uber, Bolt and Yango among others.
Given the strong competition faced by local taxi cab operators from these emerging digitised ridesharing services, Dr. Bawumia said government, on being approached by local transport operators, has developed a digital platform that will soon be deployed.
The digital novelty for commercial cab operators is expected to be piloted in the Greater Accra Region, and is hoped to position taxi drivers to meet the increasing demand for online transportation services.
Dr. Bawumia was speaking at the 46th session of the General Council Meeting (GCM) of the Church of Pentecost, at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region, and said government intends to migrate public and private sector transportation onto a ‘Tap and Go’ system.
This form of platform removes the need for paper-tickets and cash payments, and provides an accessible payment solution that consumers already use via a device already in their hands – thereby speeding up transactions.
The system is seen to also increase transparency in fare collection between the drivers and bus owners, and overall enhance transportation services for both operators and commuters.
Offering such practical solutions to everyday life challenges, according to the Vice President, should be the priority of all stakeholders. He therefore urged the church to continue encouraging the public to be involved in addressing challenges confronting the country.
He particularly noted the numerous interventions and contributions of the Church of Pentecost to transformation of the country, inspired by its 5-year strategic vision.
The Vice President acknowledged that efforts made by the church to finance all its interventions without any foreign support are admirable and exemplary.
The 3-day General Council Meeting (GCM) of the Church of Pentecost was held under the theme ‘Repositioning the local church for maximum impact in the nations’.
The Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, in his State of the Church address said coverage of the church has now reached 151 countries with a growing membership of 4.2 million.
Enumerating the interventions undertaken so far, he said the church over the period has initiated various social development projects in deprived communities and institutions across the country, in line with its vision 2023 agenda of partnering with government for the nation’s socio-economic development.
For instance, in the area of education as at the end of December 2022, 107 educational institutions comprising 103 basic schools, two senior high schools and two vocational training institutes had been established.
In 2022, he disclosed that the church spent GH₵10.6million in providing scholarships.
Also, he said all 10 healthcare facilities established by the church operate soundly across the country to provide quality healthcare services in urban and rural areas.
Additionally, five new health facilities – at various stages of completion – are being constructed. These new facilities are at Abesiwa in the Duaya Nkwanta area; Teshie Praso and Ohene Nkwanta in the Konongo area; Bolge Kumbangre in the Bolga area; and Asuadei in the Abuakwa area, he added.
