GPRTU condemns drivers strike action

The National Executive Council of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) on Monday, dissociated itself from the strike action and demonstration by some drivers in Accra on Monday.

It condemned the action and called on the police to investigate the demonstration and expose the perpetrators and those behind it. A statement issued by the Council and signed by Mr. Charles Ankomah, the General Secretary said, "the Council condemns the demonstration in no uncertain terms and calls on the police to expose the perpetrators and those possibly behind them".

It said, "the Council has learnt with great shock, the unfortunate demonstration by some drivers, which took place in certain parts of Accra on Monday, 23 September and wish to assure the public that the Union was not responsible for that action".

The Union reiterated its stand to seek redress on road transport grievances through the Ghana Road Transport Co-ordinating Council (GRTCC) but "not in such a lawless demonstration, which by careful consideration of its timing and venue suggests the possibility of something else".

The Council had in an earlier statement issued on Thursday, 19 September warned that any of its member, who would embark on a strike action would not only be sanctioned by the union but would also face the full rigours of the law.

It said the Council at an emergency meeting took a serious view of the repercussions such an action could have on the travelling masses in particular and the economy in general.

The Council noted that the GRTCC responsible for fixing lorry fares was taking appropriate steps to address the issue and advised all members of the union to exercise restraint.

It said all Regional and Branch Officers of the Union were asked to report any slightest sign of such a demonstration without delay. However, drivers who spoke to the GNA said they took the action because the police were harassing them by their indiscriminate arrest at the least offence.

They said they also wanted a review of the current lorry fares to cushion the effect of the 300 per cent increase in insurance premiums and the high cost of spare parts.