Ghana’s ride-hailing sector is gaining stronger public trust, with a new Ride-Hailing Safety Index commissioned by Bolt and carried out by global research company Ipsos indicating that 81% of Ghanaians believe ride-hailing is safer than most other forms of transportation.
The recently released report, which surveyed riders in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi, highlights how digital mobility platforms are influencing safety perceptions and transforming urban movement patterns in Ghana.
According to the data, convenience remains the leading reason Ghanaians choose ride-hailing, with 80% of respondents selecting it as a primary factor. Safety follows closely at 45%, showing that beyond comfort, security is now a major influence in transport decision-making. The research also shows that 92% of users rely on ride-hailing apps when they specifically need safer or more dependable travel—especially during late-night trips (70%), in situations where walking feels unsafe (50%), or when tired or unwell (46%).
A significant gender insight also emerged: females constitute 70% of the ride-hailing customer base in Ghana, and the most active age group falls between 25 and 34 years. This suggests ride-hailing is providing younger women with more autonomy, flexibility, and secure travel options for work, social activities, and daily movement.
Respondents pointed to GPS tracking (61%), verified driver profiles (57%), and trip sharing features (55%) as the most trusted safety tools. Overall, 94% of riders agreed that these in-app security measures make them feel safer. Beyond this, over half (52%) of respondents also believe ride-hailing contributes to reduced drunk-driving incidents by offering safer alternatives after nightlife and weekend events—an emerging public health benefit.
Speaking during the official release of the report—which brought together government agencies, road safety authorities, and private sector mobility experts—Sandra Suzanne Buyole, Regional PR Manager for Bolt Ghana, emphasized that Ghana’s growing usage of ride-hailing shows that tech-enabled mobility is reshaping transport expectations. She noted that continuous improvements in driver training, safety technology, and collaboration with regulators will be crucial to maintaining long-term safety gains.
Ipsos Head of Strategy Africa, Witness Soyinka, added that visibility and accountability are key elements driving public confidence. “Ghanaians increasingly value services where movement can be tracked and verified,” he said. “These characteristics are what strengthen trust, particularly among women and young adults.”
The Ride-Hailing Safety Index is expected to serve as a reference guide for future safety enhancements within the digital mobility industry and to support ongoing engagements with policymakers, with the aim of advancing safer, more reliable, and more digitally supported transport systems in Ghana.
Source:Africa Publicity
