Source: Ejike Kanife/Technext
Bolt Ghana is exploring the implementation of the Ghana Card for verification of drivers on its platform. This was revealed at a driver-led safety summit held recently in Accra, Ghana. The ride-hailing company said the event culminated the series of discussions it has had with key industry stakeholders. It also underscores the company’s commitment to fostering a culture of safety, responsibility, and community engagement within the transportation industry.
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The possibility of driver verification via the Ghana Card is one of several key initiatives explored at the summit titled ‘Safe for All: Navigating the Future of Ride-Hailing’. Other initiatives include:
- Card Option for New Riders at Night: Offering the option for new riders to use a card for transactions during nighttime trips, further bolstering safety measures.
- Enhanced Safety Communications: Launching a robust safety communications campaign to raise awareness among both drivers and riders about best practices and safety guidelines.
- Utilisation of Dash Cams: Encouraging the use of dash cameras to document and deter any untoward incidents during trips.
- Flagging High-Risk Areas: Identifying and highlighting high-risk areas to drivers and riders to exercise caution.
- Security Training: Providing comprehensive security training to equip our drivers and riders with the necessary skills to handle challenging situations effectively.
Speaking on these safety initiatives and the safety summit at large, Bolt Senior Public Policy Manager, West Africa Weyinmi Aghadiuno, said the company recognises safety as a collective responsibility, and with the driver partners being integral to its service, their welfare is a top concern.
“Through collaboration with drivers and key regulatory bodies such as DVLA, NRSA, and The Police, we are committed to fostering open dialogue, providing education, improving our safety features, and working together to enhance road safety in Ghana. This summit serves as a vital platform for sharing insights, exchanging ideas, and collectively striving to ensure the safety of all stakeholders within the ride-hailing ecosystem. Bolt will rise to action and work towards implementing these initiatives,” she said.
George Annan Kesson Jnr, representing the Ghana Online Driver Union at the Driver-led Safety Summit, emphasised the core safety demands of drivers, highlighting the need for rider verification and significant improvements to road conditions, including the repair of street lights. These key enhancements, according to him, would contribute significantly to fostering a safer environment for both drivers and riders in the ride-hailing sector.
Bolt Safety Summit
The Driver-Led Safety Summit happened at the Holiday Inn Hotel and brought together drivers, industry regulators, law enforcement officials, safety experts, and community leaders to discuss and implement measures aimed at enhancing road safety for all.
The Safety Summit’s agenda included a series of interactive workshops, panel discussions, and informative sessions. Topics covered ranged from both rider and driver safety, road safety best practices as well as addressing challenges faced by drivers and law enforcement in ensuring safety on the road.
The Driver-Led Safety Summit serves as a pivotal moment in the ongoing collaboration between Bolt, the industry regulator DVLA and The Police, reinforcing their commitment to improving road safety in Ghana.
ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi who represented the Inspector General of Police, commended Bolt for the inaugural driver-led safety summit. She expressed appreciation for the invitation to discuss safety best practices in the transport sector and commended Bolt for its commitment to prioritising the safety of both drivers and riders.
A notable aspect is the ride-hailing giant being the first operator in Ghana to actively engage with drivers to address safety concerns in such a big forum. The police look forward to ongoing collaboration with Bolt to enhance safety on its platform and working in tandem with our dedicated drivers, we will fortify safety measures, safeguard lives, and significantly improve safety on our roads.”
Deputy Director of Research, Business Development and Innovation at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Abraham Zato emphasised the pivotal role of collaborative efforts in enhancing safety within the ride-hailing industry.
“Safety is not a solitary endeavour; it’s a collective responsibility that requires collaboration between platforms, drivers, and regulatory bodies. The commitment showcased by Bolt in fostering such collaboration is commendable and sets a positive precedent for the industry,” he said.
Highlighting the critical significance of technology and community engagement in advancing safety standards within the swiftly evolving transportation sector, the Manager of Regulations, Inspection, and Compliance at Ghana’s National Road Safety Authority, Kwabena Asare Mintah, emphasised the importance of addressing infrastructure concerns raised by drivers. Specifically, he acknowledged their feedback on issues such as street light repairs and assured the drivers that the NRSA is committed to taking prompt action.
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Source: Ejike Kanife/Technext
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