‘Work, food, freedom’: Tricycle riders block roads to protest against KMA ban

There was chaos along some of the major streets leading to the Kumasi Central Business District (CBD) after some tricycle riders launched a protest against city authorities’ plans to restrict their movement within the trading hub.

The protesters some of whom are autorickshaw operators commonly known as ‘Pragya’, on Wednesday (2 August) blocked the Suame-Kejetia road, causing a heavy gridlock and disrupting daily activities on that stretch.

The ban came into full force on Monday (31 July) as part of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s (KMA) transport re-organization drive aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety at the trading hub. But the tricycle riders are vehemently kicking against the move arguing that the decision would throw their livelihood off gear.

“When you look at the demarcation, they are now clearly sacking us from the Central Business District to the highways for the cars to kill us more. Are they looking for the betterment of Pragya drivers, or what? Because this decision will further expose us to more risk, than their decision to minimize congestion”, said Rauf Seidu, Financial Secretary of the Pragya Workers Association of Ghana.

“Some of us are also schooling, this Pragya business has been taking care of us and so we plead with city authorities to take a second look at this decision. We just need the freedom to work and put food on the table”, he added.

Police were later called in to disperse the crowd. It is gathered that the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive Samuel Pyne will be holding talks with stakeholders on Thursday (3 August) to resolve the matter.

SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH

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