Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL), Ghana’s leading state-run transport service, has inherited a staggering GH¢125 million debt from the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration. The Managing Director, Kale Cesar, revealed the fiscal burden during a staff address on May 21, 2025, noting the debt excludes miscellaneous liabilities accrued under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government.
Despite the bleak financials and a dilapidated fleet, Cesar assured employees and stakeholders that the company is shifting gears towards a full-scale operational revamp under the directive of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration led by President John Dramani Mahama.
“We assumed office taking on a debt of no less than GHC125 million, but we didn’t want to lament. His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has given us a performance contract to ensure that Metro Mass Transit is brought up to speed, so we did not need to comment or lament anywhere, but rather to fix it.” Cesar stated.
The company has faced years of underfunding and neglect, with many buses either grounded or scrapped entirely. The MD noted that the fleet had been in “very poor condition,” requiring urgent intervention. To address this, Cesar announced that new buses are already on order, with a target to roll out at least 500 functional units by the end of 2025.
In an ambitious restructuring strategy, the company is diversifying its operations through the creation of new service divisions. Metro Express, Metro Cargo, and Metro Hiring. These business arms are expected to expand Metro Mass’s reach, generate new revenue streams, and improve customer service.
“We will be introducing modern buses suited to current transportation trends, Metro Express will feature smaller buses with seating for 15 to 20 passengers, while other divisions will include air-conditioned, luxurious buses to provide comfortable transport even to rural areas.” Cesar said.
The pivot to a more commercially viable structure is a critical component of the NDC’s broader vision to transform state enterprises from loss-making entities into self-sustaining, efficient providers. With Ghana’s transport sector under pressure to meet rising urban mobility demands, the reforms at MMTL could serve as a case study in public sector turnaround if successful.
