John Dumelo steps in as fare hikes leave commuters stranded

Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture and Ayawaso West Wuogon MP, John Dumelo, has stepped into the spotlight after a viral video showed him urging stranded passengers to board a Metro Mass Transit bus. The incident has reignited debate over rising transport fares and the burden they place on ordinary Ghanaians.

The video, widely shared on social media, captured Dumelo assisting commuters at Okponglo and Shiashie who were struggling to find transport home. He later revealed that he had personally arranged and paid for Metro Mass Transit buses to ferry passengers to Madina and Lapaz after commercial drivers sharply increased fares during rush hour. According to Dumelo, many drivers and their mates had imposed excessive charges, leaving some passengers unable to afford the trip. “The transport situation is an issue I am deeply passionate about, especially because most of the major roads lead to Ayawaso,” he explained during an interview on Onua FM’s Yen Nsempa Morning Show.

To ease the immediate hardship, Dumelo launched a free transport initiative that will run for about a week to ten days. He described the measure as a stopgap solution, stressing that lasting change must come from coordinated efforts by state institutions. “To be honest, if I had the money, I would buy buses to commute my people every single day,” he said. The MP expressed confidence that the Ministry of Transport is working to address the issue of passenger overcharging, which has become a recurring frustration for commuters across Accra. He emphasized that regulation of fares and improvements in public transport systems are essential for sustainable relief.

Dumelo’s intervention has drawn widespread praise, with many commuters describing his actions as compassionate and timely amid ongoing economic pressures. For residents of Ayawaso West Wuogon, the gesture highlighted both the urgency of transport challenges and the potential for leadership to provide immediate, practical support.