Swedru taxi drivers call off strike

Agona Swedru, Oct 30, GNA - Business activities in the Agona Swedru Municipality that halted last Monday following a strike action by taxi drivers has resumed after the Municipal chief Executive, Mr Jacob Felix Obeng-Forson, had assured them that their grievances would be addressed. The drivers were demanding explanation from the Agona West Municipal Assembly about the erection of barriers at the four main entry points to Agona Swedru and the collection of eight Ghana cedis from them at these points.

The strike action compelled commuters to walk long distance to their destinations.

Mr Kweku Mensah, chairman of the Tax Drivers Association, told the Ghana News Agency in interview that another reason for their action was the inability of the assembly to rehabilitate some roads in the town and these roads had developed deep potholes.

He said that payment of tolls and taxes to the assembly by them would be meaningless if the assembly neglected its responsibilities. Mr Mensah said the assembly did not inform them about the erection of the barriers and the payment of tolls and appealed to the Agona West Municipal Chief Executive to help the rehabilitation of the roads to enhance their work.

Mr Obeng-Forson told the taxi drivers to exercise restraint because the Swedru roads had been awarded on contract and work would soon begin. He said the erection of the barriers at all the four entry points was to help check criminal activities in the municipality. 30 Oct. 09