Metro Mass Spare Parts Controversy: Ex-MD Says 3 of 4 Containers and 30 VDL Buses Cleared Before Leaving Office

A former Managing Director of Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL), Albert Adu Boahen, has reacted strongly to recent claims that spare parts for the state-owned passenger transport outfit have been stuck at the port for more than two years, saying most of the consignments were cleared before he left office.  

In a radio interview monitored on Tuesday, Mr. Adu Boahen said that out of four 40-foot containers of spare parts imported alongside 30 VDL buses in April 2024 under a state-to-state arrangement, three containers and all 30 buses were successfully cleared from the port before he handed over to his successor in March 2025.  

According to the former MD, the delay in clearing the buses and parts from the port was initially linked to tax exemption issues and later compounded by disputes over shipping line charges, which had risen sharply by the time full documentation was prepared.  

He explained that while the government had granted an exemption on import taxes, MMTL had to negotiate with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance to secure approval. During this process, he said the disputed shipping line costs — estimated at over GH¢300,000 — became a sticking point.  

“I was challenging the shipping line charges because they were too high,” Mr. Adu Boahen said. “I petitioned the ministry to engage the shipping line to reduce the amount.” He added that these efforts delayed the final clearance of one remaining container, which he duly noted in his handover reports to the new management.  

His comments are a response to statements by the current Managing Director of MMTL, Kale Cezar, who last week said a container of spare parts imported under previous management had remained at the port for an extended period, contributing to operational challenges and mounting charges for the company.  

Mr. Cezar had described the situation as having compounded Metro Mass Transit’s financial and logistical difficulties, noting that delays in clearing essential spare parts had constrained the deployment and maintenance of buses on major routes, particularly in Accra and Kumasi.  

The current management has indicated that it is actively engaging relevant authorities and stakeholders to secure the release of the container still at the port and to address broader operational issues affecting the company.  

The development comes amid scrutiny of Ghana’s urban transport system, where commuters have raised concerns about ageing fleets, intermittent services, and the limited number of buses in circulation — issues that MMTL leadership says are tied to broader logistical and funding constraints.