Gov’t wants to use Traffitech-GH to extort money from drivers while traders take over spaces – GPRTU

Commercial transport operators have accused the government of seeking to use the planned rollout of the Traffitech-GH system to extort money from drivers through traffic fines while allowing traders to occupy designated bus stops and pedestrian walkways. The operators say it is unfair to subject drivers to camera-based traffic enforcement when the authorities have failed to clear the spaces they are legally expected to use for picking up and dropping off passengers.

They have consequently threatened to suspend public transport services nationwide from Sunday, November 1, when Traffitech-GH is scheduled to become operational, unless their concerns are addressed. The ultimatum was issued in a statement dated October 31 by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana and the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana, operating under the Joint Transport Front.

The groups said they had earlier given the government and the Ghana Police Service until October 20 to enforce Regulation 142 of L.I. 2519 by removing traders from bus stops and pedestrian walkways before the introduction of the new traffic enforcement system. However, they claimed that the deadline had passed without any meaningful action by the government, the Ministry of Local Government or the police.

“This shows clearly that Government wants to use TRAFFITECH-GH to extort money from innocent drivers while leaving traders to take over our legally designated spaces,” the statement said. Bus stops remain occupied The operators cited Kaneshie, Circle, Madina, Kasoa and Kejetia among areas where they claimed traders continued to occupy designated bus stops.

They said the situation would expose drivers to fines and harassment by traffic cameras for offences arising from the authorities’ failure to keep the designated spaces accessible. “We cannot allow our drivers to be fined and harassed by cameras for offenses created by Government’s own failure to clear the roads,” the groups stated. They maintained that the authorities should first address the alleged encroachment on bus stops and pedestrian walkways before enforcing the new system against commercial drivers.

Nationwide shutdown threat The groups said their leadership had resolved to direct drivers across the country to park their vehicles and suspend operations once Traffitech-GH became operational on November 1. “We will not operate under an unfair and unjust system. You cannot digitalize illegality,” they declared. They also appealed to commuters to take notice of the planned action and make alternative transport arrangements from Sunday, warning that the suspension could disrupt travel across the country.

“The Government will be fully responsible for any inconvenience this action will cause,” the statement added. The latest warning follows a joint press conference held on October 13, during which the operators called on the government and the police to clear traders from bus stops and pedestrian walkways ahead of the system’s introduction. The statement was signed by Samuel Amoah, National Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU of TUC; Asonaba Nana Owiredu, National Chairman of the Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana; Paa Willie, National Chairman of the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana; David Agboado, National PRO of the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana; and Yaw Barimah, National PRO of the Commercial Transport Operators/True Drivers Union.