GPRTU leadership distances itself from allegations

Sunyani, Jan 31, GNA - The leadership of Dormaa Main branch of Ghana Private Road Transport Union of TUC, has denied knowledge about alleged police maltreatment of commercial drivers on the Dormaa Ahenkro-Bechem road.

In a letter signed by Mr Alex Fofie, branch secretary and addressed to the Regional Police Commander, the leadership said they did not know anything about a letter of complaint written last week by the commercial drivers to the police boss. "We the leaders of the above union (GPRTU of TUC - Dormaa Main Branch) didn't know anything about the letter until a copy was sent to the Union.

"Meanwhile the matter has been amicably settled", the letter from the Main Branch copied to the Ghana News Agency said. The Union rendered its apology for any inconvenience the letter of the commercial drivers might have caused to the Regional Police Commander. The denial letter was also copied to the Dormaa district Police Commander, regional Attorney General, the Registrar, Duayaw Nkwanta court, District Commander of BNI, as well as the Brong Ahafo regional Minister.

In a letter last week, commercial drivers plying the Dormaa Ahenkro-Bechem route in Brong-Ahafo expressed disgust at the number of police barriers on the road. They alleged that police personnel at the barriers had been demanding monies from them without any reason and that their inability to meet their demands led to either the seizure of their driving license or their prosecution for alleged traffic offences. The letter signed by Mr Kwasi Stephen, secretary of Dormaa Professional Drivers Group of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, was also copied to the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani. It said the police collected instant fines from them without issuing receipts to them and appealed to the appropriate authorities to help remedy the situation or they would advise themselves.