Accra: The Social Services Sub-Committee of the Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly has toured transport unions in the municipality to assess their operations, identify challenges affecting the sector, and explore measures to improve transport services and commuter safety. The committee visited the Lascala, Tsuibleoo, and Teshie First Junction transport unions as part of the exercise, which also seeks to strengthen collaboration between the assembly and transport operators.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Seth Kafui, the Chairman of the Social Services Sub-Committee, stated that the visit to the transport unions was to assess transport services and ensure the safety and comfort of commuters. Mr. Kafui emphasized that the committee's mandate covered health, education, sanitation, youth development, markets, and transport, making it important to engage stakeholders to understand issues affecting service delivery.
He highlighted the necessity of understanding the challenges facing transport operators within the municipality so that the assembly could work with relevant stakeholders to address them. Mr. Kafui noted that resolving these challenges would improve road safety, enhance transport services, and contribute to the overall safety and well-being of community members. He also mentioned that the committee had recently inspected pre-schools within the municipality, identifying a few challenges, and plans to engage with pre-school heads to improve standards and create a safe learning environment for children.
Mr. Jonathan Adjetey Sowah, the Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) at the Teshie First Junction Taxi Rank, commended the committee for engaging transport operators and listening to their concerns. Mr. Sowah appealed to the assembly to improve the poor road network, describing it as one of the major challenges affecting transportation and the movement of passengers within the municipality. He also raised concerns about the increasing cases of mobile phone theft, particularly from passengers before vehicles leave the loading points or join the main road, and appealed for stronger security measures to protect commuters.
Mr. Sowah urged the assembly to strengthen the enforcement of transport regulations, ensure compliance among operators, and promote responsible conduct by drivers. He stated that addressing these challenges would improve transport services, enhance public safety, and support the overall development of the municipality.
Mr. Samuel Akwagbo, a driver at the Tsuibleoo Station, thanked the committee for the engagement and the opportunity given to transport operators to share their concerns. He expressed hope that the committee would organise more consultative meetings to enable stakeholders to discuss challenges facing the transport sector and work together to find lasting solutions.