By: Nicholas Osei-Wusu
Commercial motor and tricycle riders operating from Kumasi have undertaken a street protest against some decisions of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, KMA against their business.
Amidst the chanting of war songs and wearing of red arm and head bands, and under security guard, the riders marched to the offices of the KMA bearing placards with various inscriptions emphasizing their concerns.
Among the inscriptions were ‘we are not foreigners’, ‘no job for youth’, ‘KMA why’ and ‘Enough is enough’.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Tricycle Riders Association, Seidu Mubarick, who led the demonstration, presented their two-paged petition to the KMA.
Mr. Mubarick noted that, despite having no By-Laws to back it, the KMA, two years ago, restricted operatio of Rickshaw popularly called Pragia and Aboboyaa from riding into the business area of Kumasi.
This decision, he noted, has been complied with, without objection but the Assembly has proven over the period that, the decision was taken in bad faith and therefore demanded that the ban be revoked within two weeks.
“You told us that the ban is part of the re-organization of the transport system in the metropolis. You said you would follow it up with on-street parking and also drive away hawkers from the streets but you have done nothing after restricting us.”
” It means you targeted us. We have given you 2 weeks to lift the ban else…”, the Regional Chairman warned.
The Presiding Member of the KMA, Patrick Kwame Frimpong, who stood in for the Chief Executive, noted that even though the ban followed a Resolution of the General Assembly, he will communicate their concerns to the authorities for consideration.
“We recognize your action. Demonstration is part of the democracy. You have been peaceful. It is a Resolution passed by the Assembly that restricted your operation but it’s a collective decision we have to take as an Assembly”, the PM assured.
The protestors continued their demonstration to the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council on the same grounds.
