Bawumia celebrates Kayayei graduates as professional bus drivers  

Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Wednesday celebrated a significant milestone in the empowerment of female head porters, popularly known as Kayayei. 

At a graduation ceremony in Accra, 22 former Kayayei received certificates as professional bus drivers under the Kayayei Empowerment Programme.  

The initiative, championed by Dr. Bawumia, provides training opportunities to Kayayei in fields such as beads making, fashion design, soap making, and now professional driving. The programme, which aims to empower 5,000 Kayayei, is transforming lives across the country.  

"Today is a happy day for 22 young ladies who were formerly Kayayei but today, they are professional Aayalolo drivers," Dr. Bawumia remarked at the event. "I am happy for their transformation and happy to formally acknowledge them and hand them their certificates."  

Dr. Bawumia explained that while some stakeholders offered head pans to Kayayei to continue carrying loads, his administration pursued a "bold solution" to tackle the challenges they faced.  

"We were very much concerned and thought of what we could do to help them," he said. "Some people were giving them head pans to continue what they were doing. We came with bold solutions to transform them. The Kayayeis have as much intellect as anyone."  

From promise to reality  

Dr. Bawumia reflected on his earlier promise to provide hostels and training opportunities for Kayayei during a visit to Agbogbloshie, a prominent market in Accra.  

"Many doubted it and said it was not possible, but I said it is possible," he emphasised, celebrating the fulfilment of his pledge and the tangible transformation of lives.   

Mr. Charles Annan, Managing Director of the Greater Accra Private Transport Executives (GAPTE), which oversaw the training, praised Dr. Bawumia’s vision.  

"You gave us a task to train Kayayeis to drive buses, and we have delivered," Annan said. "Today, we have 22 young women who have moved from being Kayayei to qualified drivers."  

He announced that the graduates would immediately be employed by Aayalolo Bus Service, receiving salaries and social security benefits, marking the beginning of a secure and dignified future.  

The 22 women expressed profound gratitude to Dr. Bawumia for the life-changing opportunity.