As the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, (KMA), prepares to put the policy into effect, tricycle drivers in the Ashanti Region have intensified their protest against a directive restricting their movement in some areas of the Central Business District.
On Wednesday, August 2, the tricycle drivers took to the streets and blocked a main road leading to Kejetia, severely disrupting traffic and daily operations.
The protest is in retaliation to the KMA’s decision to prohibit “pragya” or “aboboyaa,” or tricycles, from operating within Kumasi’s central business district.
The ban went effect as part of the City’s initiative to reduce traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety in the busy area.
The tricycle drivers, who rely heavily on transporting people and goods inside the city center, expressed their annoyance and worry about the ban.
They argued that the KMA’s decision would negatively impact their way of life and result in many of them losing their jobs.
The tricylce operators are requesting that the KMA review the ban and hold productive discussions with their representatives to find a workable solution that would safeguard their interests while resolving the city’s traffic issues.
Commuters and drivers were caught in the middle of the protest when the main road leading to Kejetia was blocked.
To control the situation and guarantee public safety, police officers were sent to the area without delay.
Nine tricycle drivers who had a fight with some city guards on Tuesday, August 1 were detained and released on bail.
The Pragya Workers Association of Ghana’s leadership argues that the Assembly’s justifications for limiting their freedom of movement are insufficient.
On July 25, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) started putting the order restricting tricycle operation within the Kumasi CBD into effect.
The action is meant to aid in reducing the city’s traffic congestion.
The KMA has reaffirmed its intention to reorganize the delivery of transport services in the city in recent months.
Tricycle riders have been vocal in their opposition to the decision, but KMA’s Head of Transport, Randy Wilson, has insisted that the assembly is steadfast in putting the order into action to reduce traffic in the city.
