The Asanteman Zongo Nkosuohene, Sarki Alhaji Abdulai Ali, in collaboration with the Asokore-Mampong Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), has initiated engagement with hundreds of tricycle operators mostly from the Zongo communities in the Greater Kumasi in a capacity-building workshop as part of streamlining their operations.
The workshop held at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi, addressed traffic concerns such as reckless driving, substance abuse and the need for improved passenger service while it focused on the formal regulation of tricycles having been identified as a leading cause of road accidents.
Sarki Abdulai Ali implored the operators to prioritise human life over speed, avoid unnecessary overtaking, overloading, unsafe and reckless U-turns right in the middle of the road which usually result in fatalities.
He tasked the leadership of Tricycle Operators Association to flush out the bad nuts to install sanity and discipline.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Asokore Mampong, Ben Abdallah Alhassan, described the municipality as the hub of ‘Pragya’ operators in the Greater Kumasi region and stressed the need to be resourced for improved services.
The Manhyia Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Frederick Hammond, pointed out that some accidents result from operator negligence, invalid documentation including licences, minors engaged in the business, emphasising the need to follow all precautions to prevent such incidents.
He announced that measures have been put in place to crack down on operators who flout road traffic regulations noting, the growing indiscipline among the operators poses serious security and safety concerns and stressed the need to strictly enforce the law.
Mr Hammond deplored non-compliance to speed limits, refusal to respect other road users and non observation of pedestrian crossing rules as well as overtaking from the right.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Union of Tricycle Operators of Ghana (UNTOG), Seidu Mubarak accused the Police of harassment and intimidation and called for a halt to it.
He entreated the operators in the region to avoid actions that could lead to fatalities and should abide by all regulations governing their operations.
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