BREAKING: Transport Unions ‘bark’ at Akufo Addo over 10 % reduction

Members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (G.P.R.T.U) and the True Drivers Union (T.D.U) as well as the Concerned Drivers Union (C.D.U) have called the bluff of Government after a request was made of them to reduce transport fares by 10 %.

It would be recalled, about a week ago, the Transport Ministry announced that upon a meeting with the various representatives of the drivers, they have agreed to reduce transport fares by about 10 % effective today, August 1, 2020.

However, during a live radio interview session monitored by adwoaadobianews.com and hosted by ace broadcaster, Kakeeku Vice Chairman of the True Drivers Union, Yaw Barima fumed, it is not withing the remit of the government to determine what must be charged or otherwise by them since same is not done to the other sectors of the economy. “Is it the president that determines the fares of the aviation sector, so why us?” He questioned.

On his part, Branch Chairman of G.P.R.T.U (Ofankor – Kumasi) also aspiring for the National Chairmanship position of the G.P.R.T.U, Kofi Sarpong blamed leadership of the union whom he alleged, are ‘‘in bed’’ with government because of their affiliations to the ruling NPP. Leadership of the various unions claimed, the call to increase transport fares was long overdue even before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

In unison, the various driver unions warned, any attempt by government to force them to cower would be suicidal to the government especially in this era of elections. They expressed their total disappointment in Nana Addo and warned, any attempt by the government to force them to cower shall be met with fist of anger.

Background

Last week, the president directed that Drivers can now take full load as he relaxed the social distancing restrictions further in the country. Commuters then complained of a reduction in transportation fares to which the Transport Ministry issued a statement after it claimed to have engaged leadership of the various unions in a crunch meeting resulting in their acceptance of the order to reduce transport fares by 10 %.