By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
More than 30 transport unions under the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) are on strike in Accra today, marching from Liberation Circle to the Jubilee House to petition government over what they describe as the unlawful encroachment of lorry parks by private developers.
The unions — including the GPRTU, the Concerned Drivers Association, Commercial Transport Operators, and the Container Owners Association — say the situation has left them with no option but to withdraw services to demand action.
Encroachment at CMB Lorry Park
At a press briefing in Accra before the protest, Deputy National PRO of GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, singled out the Accra-CMB station as one of the hardest hit, saying drivers have been displaced from designated loading bays.
He explained that the encroachment has forced both drivers and passengers onto unauthorized spots, with traders spilling into the streets, worsening congestion and raising safety risks.
“It’s very important that we come up with this decision. It’s about the CMB Lorry Park. It’s been in existence for so many ages now. We’ve been working, serving the nation throughout the 16 regions. For some time now, some businessmen have invaded the lorry park. Most of the portion has been taken away from us. We tried to manage the little that is left with us. Yet another businessman has come up to take the remaining portion from us,” Amoah lamented.
He added that the strike is intended to draw the government’s attention, warning that both commuters and traders are exposed to accidents and health hazards due to the chaotic conditions.
Mr. Amoah appealed to the government to urgently intervene and restore the lorry park lands to their rightful purpose.
“We are just pleading with the government to please help us, to return the lorry park as well. Every lorry park goes with the women as well. When they bring their wares, we’ve given them a space, and they also sell and make ends meet over there. Here we are, the lorry park is completely getting out of hand. So we are pleading with the government to please save us from the situation in which we are now,” he said.
The unions are presenting a petition to President John Dramani Mahama as part of today’s strike, urging swift intervention to prevent further disruption to livelihoods and public safety.
The tussle over lorry park lands has been a recurring issue in Accra, with drivers and transport operators frequently accusing private developers of encroachment. The CMB station, one of the busiest in the capital, serves thousands of commuters daily and is a vital hub for traders from across the country.
Unions warn that if no solution is found, the strike could extend beyond one day, potentially affecting transport services nationwide.
