A young man from Tafo Zongo in Kumasi, Abass Yusuf Mohammed, has donated a Mercedes-Benz Vepro minibus, worth GH₵220,000 (2.2 billion old cedis), to serve as an ambulance for the community.
The vehicle will be used to transport sick people to hospitals and also carry the dead for Islamic burials—a need that has long troubled residents of Tafo Zongo and surrounding communities.
Before this donation, the community had no dedicated ambulance or hearse.
Sick people were often rushed to the hospital in taxis or on motorbikes, while the deceased were carried in the back of open pickup trucks—a situation that Abass says deeply pained him.
“I used to see dead bodies being carried in pickups to the cemetery,” Abass recounted. “It made me sad. Every human being deserves privacy and dignity, even after death. That is what pushed me to buy this bus for my people.”
Abass, who works as a scrap dealer, said it took him years of hard work and savings to make the purchase. He described the gesture as his contribution to the welfare of his community and his faith.
“I believe we can all do something small to help our people. I want to tell the youth that there is honour in hard work. Let’s find jobs and stay away from bad habits.”
Residents of Tafo Zongo have hailed the donation as a huge relief. Many described it as “timely,” especially for a community that struggles with emergency transport for both health and burial services.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Old Tafo, Abubakar Saddick, commended Abass for his benevolent act, describing it as an example of true community leadership.
“For a long time, it has been a challenge getting an ambulance in this area,” the MCE said. “We have been looking for ways to address it, so for an individual to take it upon himself to do this — it’s something we must all emulate.”
He added that the new bus will support the existing National Ambulance Service in the area and ease pressure on health workers during emergencies.
“This ambulance will also augment the efforts of the municipal health service in saving lives.”
Abass’s donation has also won the admiration of local religious and youth leaders, who said his example reflects the true spirit of Islam — service, compassion, and humility.
At the brief ceremony to hand over the keys, prayers were offered for Abass and his business. Community elders described him as “a young man with an old soul,” saying his act had brought pride and dignity to Tafo Zongo.
“Today, Abass has shown us that being a scrap dealer or doing any honest work doesn’t limit your ability to do great things,” said one elder. “He has done what even some wealthy people have not thought of.”
In a time when youth stories often centre around crime, unemployment, and drug abuse, Abass’s story stands out, that young people can lead positive change in their communities.
He says he hopes his action will inspire others to contribute to the well-being of their neighbours in whatever way they can.
As the gleaming white minibus now parks, waiting for its next call, whether to rush someone to the hospital or carry a soul to its final rest, one man’s kindness can restore dignity to an entire community.
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