Members of the Pragyia (Tricycle) Workers Association of Ghana staged a protest on Wednesday morning, blocking the main Suame-Roundabout to Kejetia route in Kumasi. The protest was in response to restrictions on their movement imposed by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).
The blockade led to severe vehicular traffic on the road, causing inconvenience to drivers and commuters traveling from Suame and Tafo directions to Kumasi, as the road serves as the main entry point to Kejetia and Adum.
The KMA had recently announced a ban on the movement of Pragyia tricycles to the main central business district of Adum and Kejetia, effective August 01, 2023. The decision was made to alleviate congestion on the streets caused by the riders and to reduce the number of accidents, some of which had resulted in fatalities.
Protesters expressed their discontent, arguing that the ban would negatively impact their livelihoods. They refuted responsibility for the heavy vehicular traffic in the central business district, attributing it to the ongoing construction of the new Kejetia market by the Assembly.
Riders argued that the ban would further worsen their already challenging economic situation, as the tricycles were their primary means of earning a living. They urged the KMA to reconsider its decision and engage in dialogue to find a more amicable solution that takes into account both traffic management and the livelihoods of the Pragyia workers.
As tensions remain high, the Suame Division of the police worked to control the crowd and restore order on the blocked route. The KMA faces the challenge of balancing traffic management concerns with the livelihoods of the Pragyia workers, seeking to find a resolution that addresses the needs of both parties.
