Commercial drivers operating within the nation’s capital and other major urban centres have issued a firm seven-day ultimatum to the government and local authorities to clear street traders and hawkers from designated bus stops, lorry parks, and pedestrian walkways.
The transport operators warned that failure on the part of the authorities to act swiftly within the stipulated period could force them to take matters into their own hands to restore sanity on the roads.
The joint agitation brings together key transport unions, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC, the Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana, and the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana. According to the unions, the rampant occupation of transport infrastructure by traders has crippled their ability to conduct safe loading and offloading operations.
Speaking at a joint press conference on Thursday, October 15, the groups appealed to the Ministry of Local Government, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the Ghana Police Service, and the Ministry of Transport to urgently enforce existing bye-laws and traffic regulations across transport terminals nationwide.
Major commercial hubs across the country have been severely affected by the menace, with the drivers pointing to critical congestion hotspots such as Kaneshie, Accra Central, CMB, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Madina, Kasoa, Kejetia, and the Takoradi Market Circle.
Addressing journalists at the event, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, expressed deep dissatisfaction over the persistent illegal takeover of public transport infrastructure.
“We have observed with grave concern and anger the total and unlawful takeover of our designated bus stops, intersections and pedestrian walkways by traders, market women and men and hawkers,” he said.
“Bus stops at places like Kaneshie, Accra, CMB, Circle, Madina, Kasoa, Kejetia, Takoradi Market Circle and all major towns have been turned into markets.”
The drivers noted that the unlawful occupation of these facilities has heightened traffic congestion and elevated the risk of road accidents, leaving commercial motorists with little choice but to drop off and pick up passengers directly on active carriageways.
“Drivers can no longer pick up or drop off passengers safely. This lawlessness has to stop,” Mr Amoah added.
Anchoring their demand in law, the transport unions cited Regulation 142 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, as amended in 2026, which explicitly bans the display, sale, or offering of goods on roads, shoulders, bus stops, lorry terminals, and pedestrian pathways. They maintained that strict compliance with this statutory provision remains essential to guaranteeing road safety and guaranteeing that public transport facilities fulfill their statutory functions.
The drivers also raised serious reservations regarding the upcoming rollout of TrafficTech GH, an automated traffic enforcement mechanism designed to detect and penalty traffic violations, including unauthorized stopping.
While stressing that they do not oppose government attempts to digitize traffic management, the operators argued that penalising motorists for non-compliance while designated bus stops remain occupied by traders constitutes an injustice.
“The system will fail and will be grossly unfair to drivers if roads are not cleared first,” Mr Amoah said.
He questioned the feasibility of enforcing compliance under the current chaotic conditions on the roads.
“How can you punish a driver for not stopping at a designated bus stop when that bus stop has been occupied by market women and traders?” he asked.
“How can a driver be fined for obstruction when traders have left him no space to operate?”
Demanding immediate action prior to the official launch of the automated enforcement initiative, the unions reiterated that public infrastructure must be reclaimed for its intended legal purpose without delay.
“We cannot digitalise illegality,” they said.
Reiterating their ultimatum, the coalition cautioned municipal authorities and security agencies that the seven-day window represents a final notice to restore order across all affected sites nationwide.
“All market women and men, traders and hawkers must be completely cleared from all bus stops, lorry terminals, pedestrian walkways and road intersections across the country.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana