City authorities in Kumasi, Ghana’s second largest city, have imposed a ban on rickshaw and tricycle businesses, also known as ‘Pragya’ and ‘Aboboyaa’ within the confines of the Central Business District.
An initial plan to enforce the ban last month was met with fierce resistance by the Pragya Riders Association, citing a lack of consultation.
At a stakeholder engagement, the Head of the Transport Department at the KMA, Randy Wilson, said the Assembly is taking steps to deal with existing challenges that could impede the exercise.
He stressed that the assembly is seeking the intervention of state security to ensure strict compliance, warning that persons who flout the directive risk being sanctioned.
“The city is resting on the fact that the central business district is becoming congested. We need to take steps to limit certain activities. In the case of tricycles, a boundary has been created to limit their activities outside the CBD of Kumasi. We are hoping that all tricycle operators will obey the principles and not flout any of the principles.
“Depending on the type of vehicle or operation that flouts the rules, the fee fixing resolution which includes impounding of vehicle, towing and prosecution will be applied,” he said.
He also added that there will be provision for charging of fines.
“We have trained additional staff together with officers from MTTD, SWAT, and the Ghana Police Service to ensure solid visibility and enforcement,” Wilson added.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Pragya Riders Association in an interview with Asaase News has pledged to rally its members to respect the directive.
President of the Association Mohammed Alhassan is however urging city authorities to regulate their operations as he fears such actions threaten the livelihoods of its members.
Reporting By Paulina Serwaa Gyamfi in the Ashanti Region
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