The Minister of Foreign Affairs has inaugurated six new buses to transport staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to and from work, in a move aimed at improving punctuality and addressing longstanding transportation challenges.
The six 29-seater coaster buses form part of a staff welfare package, following complaints earlier this year that transportation difficulties were contributing to lateness.
The buses were inaugurated at the ministry yesterday, Thursday, December 18, 2025, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and are expected to commence operations immediately.
Punctuality drive
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Ablakwa urged staff to take full advantage of the buses to improve punctuality, stressing that the new arrangement removed any justification for reporting late to work.
“I am expecting that this will also help to promote punctuality. In the past, I may have been a bit liberal because of your complaints about the public transport system and your ordeals and all of that. Now you have no excuse,” he said.
He added that all staff were expected to be seated and working in their offices by 8am and to leave work only after 5pm, noting that the buses would not depart the ministry before that time.
“Those who are having issues with punctuality, you have no excuse now. So, I hope that we all comply, and please do not delay others. As the buses come to your point of pickup, please be on time with punctuality. When you delay, you will then be delaying everybody else, and then the bus will arrive at the ministry late,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa expressed confidence in the professionalism of staff and their willingness to comply with the new guidelines to enhance punctuality and productivity at the ministry.
Staff appreciation
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Khadidja Iddrisu, commended the minister for fulfilling his promise to improve staff welfare through the provision of the buses.
She urged staff to reciprocate the gesture by being punctual and improving their performance.
“We are all aware that we have a contract with the Foreign Affairs Minister. He has delivered on his by presenting these buses to the staff. It is now for us as staff members to also deliver by way of performance,” she said.
Leadership praised
The Director of the Estates and General Services Bureau, Ms Ninette Ivo, also thanked the minister for responding to the concerns of staff and national service personnel.
“Barely 10 months ago, at your very first staff durbar on February 10, 2025, you listened attentively to the transportation challenges raised by staff and service personnel residing far from the ministry,” she said.
“In a remarkably brief period, you have transformed these concerns into this generous reality before us, which is a clear demonstration of responsive and decisive leadership,” she added.
Ms Ivo noted that the buses would ease transportation challenges and strengthen bonds among staff as they commute together, ultimately enhancing productivity at the ministry.
She urged staff and drivers to exercise care, adhere strictly to maintenance schedules and keep the buses clean to ensure their long-term use.
She expressed the hope that the ministry would build on the momentum and reconvene around the same time next year to celebrate another milestone, possibly the commissioning of a proposed multi-storey car park to accommodate officers and guests of the ministry.
