The Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana has called for the arrest and prosecution of commercial drivers who charge unapproved fares.
David Agboado, Public Relations Officer for the Association, described drivers who overcharge passengers as fraudsters who should be put behind bars.
He described the current situation, where drivers overcharge passengers, especially during peak hours, as a criminal offense.
He stated that those doing so are greedy and not part of any association or recognised drivers’ unions.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he called on Ghanaian passengers to boycott drivers who overcharge them. He said allowing drivers to do so fuels their freedom, but if Ghanaians boycotted these drivers, it would make them stop.
He proposed the arrest and prosecution of these drivers to serve as a deterrent to others.
“The drivers who are overcharging passengers are fraudsters, greedy, and criminals who must be arrested, prosecuted, and thrown behind bars. Drivers who are affiliated with unions or associations do not overcharge. I will encourage passengers not to patronise such drivers. Anyone who overcharges passengers amounts to fraud, and such a person must be arrested and jailed for their fraudulent activities. If the public refuses to use these commercial vehicles, they will stop. But if we continue to patronise them, they will continue to take advantage of us. Report such people to the nearest police station. Don’t enter into their criminality.”
He denied claims that drivers have intentionally created artificial shortages to extort money from Ghanaian passengers.
According to him, there are some genuine issues affecting the transport system in Ghana.
He stated that, contrary to assertions by the Spare Dealers Association at Abossey Okai that they have reduced the prices of spare parts, the opposite was true. Mr Agboado noted that about 45% of commercial vehicles are at workshops and not being repaired because their spare parts are expensive.
“We will also blame the spare dealers at Abossey Okai. They claim to have reduced their prices, but that is false. We are the ones who patronise them, and we are stating categorically that the prices of spare parts have not been reduced. They sent the Trade Minister to the market and did some antics, pretending to have reduced prices, but it is totally false.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
