PROTOA appeals to the government for protection

Accra, April 14, GNA - Mr Ben Amoabeng-Peprah, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA), on Tuesday appealed to the government to protect members of the association from persistent harassment and assault by members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU).

He was speaking to journalists about an alleged assault on some passengers and members of PROTOA at the Hollywood area at Madina on Good Friday by some members of the GPRTU during which three people including a six-month-old baby were allegedly injured.

Mr Amoabeng-Peprah alleged that in the process, the assailants smashed the windscreen of a Madina-Akropong bound urvan bus, seized a loud speaker, an amplifier, a radio cassette player and a destroyed a signboard all belonging to PROTOA.

The Regional Chairman also alleged that a porter at the Hollywood at, one Eugene Adu Darko was beaten up until he became unconscious and was rushed to the University of Ghana Hospital.

Mr Amoabeng-Peprah stated that although the matter has been reported to the police, they are yet to take the matter up. He said because PROTOA wanted to avoid confrontation between it members and those of GPRTU that PROTOA acquired land from where it has been operating and wondered why the GPRTU should prevent PROTOA members from carrying out their lawful duties.

Mr Amoabeng-Peprah alleged that even though a number of memoranda of understanding had been signed between the two transport unions, members of the GPRTU continue to intimidate and harass PROTOA member.

He mentioned, for example, that just last month, upon the intervention of Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, the two transport unions signed a memorandum of understanding, during which the GPRTU paid for damages it caused to a vehicle belonging to a PROTOA member.

Mr Amoabeng-Peprah also mentioned the assault on members of PROTOA at Kasoa, Circle and a number of places throughout the country and alleged that in most cases the GPRTU had been allowed to have its way. He said PROTOA intended going to court to restrain the GPRTU from preventing PROTOA members from going about their lawful duties.

Mr Amoabeng-Peprah asked the government to come out with clear guidelines on transport operations in the country. This, he hoped, would do away with the unfortunate situation where one union would not see itself as the only one with the right to operate at lorry parks, which were maintained with the taxpayers' money.