Commercial drivers in Kumasi plying their trade as usual

Kumasi,– Commercial drivers in Kumasi are working despite the proposed strike action announced by the Coalition of Commercial Transport Owners, which began in some parts of the country on Monday.

The strike, according to the Coalition, was part of measures to compel the government to scrap some taxes on fuel to reduce the prices at the pumps.

When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the Asafo and Adehyeman Lorry Terminals in Kumasi Monday morning, the drivers and their mates were busily going about their normal duties.

Mr Kofi Nuhu, the Kumasi-Cape Coast branch station master at the Asafo, told the GNA that he had information from the Head Office of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) on the intended strike action on Monday.

However, he received another call from the same office that the strike action had been called off.

“I had information from the head office of GPRTU, that due to fuel price increment, there would be a strike, which would take off on Monday,” he said.

“Unfortunately, yesterday I received another call from the head office, saying that they will have a meeting with the government so the strike has been called off.”

“We are working today because we work under authority and we have to obey whatever they say.”

He urged the Government to scrap the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy, Special Petroleum Tax, the Energy Recovery Debt Levy and the Sanitation Levy, among others, to bring some relief to Ghanaians.

Mr Kwabena Boateng, a Sprinter bus driver at the Adehyeman Lorry Terminal, who plies Kumasi-Techiman, said the leaders had not said anything about the ongoing strike, so they were still working.

“Everything is in the hands of our leaders, they have not said anything about the strike, so we are still working. Whatever they say, we will abide by it,” he said.

Mr Boateng said the increment of fuel prices had affected their business and appealed to government to reduce the prices to get their business on track.

Source: Ghana News Agency