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A new ride-hailing platform developed locally with a traditional touch to help commuters find commercial taxis has been launched in Accra.
The app, GoRide, gives the process of finding a ride a modern twist by making it easier for passengers and drivers to connect without disrupting the essence of the local transport system.
It comes with a 10 per cent rate of commission, far lower than the average 20 per cent on similar apps.
The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, launched the app at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) conference hall in Accra on Wednesday.
He described the platform as a revolutionary ride-hailing app born from a strategic public-private partnership to transform the country’s transport sector for the better.
Dr Bawumia said GoRide was a symbol of empowerment, innovation and local pride which also embodied the commitment of the government to harness technology for inclusive development, ensuring that drivers thrived on the digital economy to pave the way for a brighter future for all Ghanaians.
The Vice-President said many local drivers faced immense challenges, particularly with high rates of commission imposed by existing ride-hailing platforms.
That did not only strain their earnings but also threatened their livelihoods and the economic stability of their families, he added.
In that regard, Dr Bawumia said, the unveiling of the app marked a significant milestone in the journey of the country towards a more equitable and prosperous country.
“Today, we put an end to that struggle. GORide is not just another app; it represents a bold commitment to upgrade the trade of our local drivers, particularly those associated with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU).
“With a competitive commission rate of just 10 per cent, our drivers are being empowered to retain more of their hard-earned money, allowing them to improve their financial stability and support their families. This is about restoring dignity to our drivers and ensuring that they thrive,” Dr Bawumia stated.
For decades, the country’s streets had been awash with local taxis that had the colour yellow sprayed at both sides of the front and back fenders, which provided essential services to commuters.
The arrival of ride-hailing platforms such as Uber, Bolt and Yango, some years ago, however, introduced some dynamism into the transportation landscape.
The platforms, upon their entry into the Ghanaian market, offered commuters convenience and ease, giving passengers the ability to book rides with just a few taps on their phones.
With their popularity came increases in their fares and commissions to the drivers, which became a source of concern for the drivers and the commuting public.
What, therefore, started as a convenient solution for passengers became a point of contention for drivers who were bearing the brunt of high commissions and a shrinking share of the market.
Local taxi drivers, who had been serving Ghanaians long before the ride-hailing services, found themselves losing out on the business as they were overshadowed by the convenience of digital ride requests.
This is what compelled the GPRTU to approach the government to intervene.
In response, the government proposed a homegrown ride-hailing platform that would not only help the taxi drivers to compete in the digital age, but also address the issue of high commission rates.
GoRide has been designed with the interest of both passengers and drivers and it is a simpler, more flexible and locally focused alternative to meet the needs of Ghanaians.
Currently, GoRide services are available in selected parts of urban Accra, especially areas with high demand and significant urban activity.
As the platform gains traction, the GoRide team plans to expand its reach to cover a wider area.
GoRide is committed to broadening its scope in the coming months, with plans to eventually cover all regions of Ghana.
Dr Bawumia said by keeping the profits generated by GoRide within the borders of the country, “we are conserving foreign exchange, fostering local wealth creation and enhancing our national economy.”
“The Ghana Card, the Digital Address System, the Mobile Money Interoperability, and Ghana.Gov are the foundational enablers in our effort to maximise the potential of digital technologies in the transformation of the country,” the Vice-President said.
Dr Bawumia also explained that the app had integrated digital payments through Tap’ n Go, a local payment platform designed for ease and security.
He said the economic impact of GoRide was far-reaching as the initiative would create jobs, not only for those behind the wheel but also across related sectors, such as vehicle maintenance, banking, insurance and customer support.
He commended all stakeholders for their effort and support in bringing the project to reality.
For his part, a Deputy Minister of Transport, Alhassan Tampuli, said there was no basis for an increase in lorry fares between now and the next six months.
He asked drivers to exercise restraint since the triggers for fare increases had not occurred.
