Accra, September 1, 2017 – The metropolitan city of Kumasi, became the second city in Ghana to go live with global technology giant, Uber.
A commercial business hub of nearly two million people, Kumasi’s rapidly growing population will have access to safe, reliable and alternative means of transportation at the touch of a button.
The Kumasi launch was preceded by the launch of Accra, Ghana’s largest city in 2016, where Uber entered into a Statement of Understanding (SOU) with the Ghanaian Ministry of Transport.
Speaking about Uber’s entry into Kumasi, Alon Lits, General Manager Sub-Saharan Africa, Uber said: “We are immensely pleased to bring a technologically enabled transport system to the people of Kumasi.
With it, Uber will provide them with an alternative way to get from point A to B, and ensure that they’re able to achieve their basic, everyday goals – whether they be business people, students or corporate workers – Uber is here to help support their socio-economic objectives”.
Sharing further, he said: “Uber is an innovative, pro smart regulation company; we intend to collaborate with government and work with necessary stakeholders to ensure that we create world-class, affordable systems that create economic opportunities, improve efficiencies and reduce emissions.
A year after taking off in the economically vibrant city of Accra, Uber has offered a friendly and reliable complement to existing transport options, and has created thousands of economic opportunities across Ghana as a whole. These are the very same opportunities we intend to share with the people of Kumasi.”
On collaborating with the regulators and key stakeholders, Kofi Agyare, Country Manager Ghana at Uber said: “Since Uber launched in Accra in 2016, key members of the Uber Policy and Operations teams have been constantly engaging with relevant policy makers, regulators and stakeholders to showcase the benefits that technology can bring to public transport. We are aware that real change will take time to manifest, we know that it will require investment and the adaptation of existing transport structures. However, we are convinced that if we continue to work together with the government, we can achieve our goal of continued creation of economic opportunities.”
On the procedure for signing up, he said: “We have ensured that the driver signup process is easy and seamless, with additional onsite support provided by our team of well-trained Experts at the Greenlight Hub. For a driver-partner to sign up, he/she must have a valid driver’s license, vehicle license plate number, vehicle insurance, and valid roadworthiness certificate.
Drivers also undergo and must pass a rigorous screening process, and finally, complete the Uber training either at the Greenlight hub or online. The vehicular signup process is also similarly easy and stress free – because we are focused on creating a positive customer experience.”
Picture caption: From (L-R): Fredrick Frimpong; Greenlight and Operations Manager, Uber Ghana, Jackie Omotalade; Policy Lead West Africa, Uber, Alon Lits; General Manager Sub-Saharan Africa, Uber and Kofi Agyare; Country Manager, Ghana at the launch of Uber in Kumasi
African Eye Report
