Takoradi, Sept. 3, GNA - Alhaji Yaw Manu, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) was over the weekend elected unopposed as the new National Chairman of the Union at Takoradi. The incumbent, Nana Yaw Manu and Charles Ankomah, Secretary both stepped down before the elections began.

Alhaji E A Tetteh, of the Greater Accra branch also won the post of National Vice Chairman.

The elections formed part of the seventh quadrennial delegates conference of the Union, which was on the theme: "The road transport industry - Key to nation's growth and development". Mr Alando Saddique was elected unopposed as the General Secretary after Stephen Okudzeto, the incumbent had stepped down.

Mr George Davies was elected unopposed as the Deputy General Secretary in charge of Administration, while Amos B Flashman from Greater Accra polled 617 votes to take the position of the Deputy General Secretary in charge of Operations.

The rest are Kwame Kumah, who polled 1,021 to beat Alex Krah who receive 273 votes for the post of National First Trustee. Mr Kwesi Ansah, was elected unopposed as Second Trustee. Alhaji Manu, speaking on behalf of the newly elected executives pledged that the team would work diligently for the growth of the Union. He said the welfare and general well being of the Union would be their priority and appealed to all members to give them their unflinching support.

Mr Godfrey Bayon Tangu, Minister of State in-charge of Transportation, opened the three-day conference, which is being attended by 1,468 delegates from all over the country.

Mr Tangu observed that to achieve a vibrant and resilient economy would depend on efficient and effective movement of people, goods and service hence the need for the operation in the transport sector is critical. He announced that the Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment and the World Bank would soon implement an Urban Transport Project to improve urban transportation in Greater Accra and Kumasi Metropolitan areas on pilot basis.

He also spoke about the menace of armed robbery on the highways that had become a bother to travellers and called for a concerted action to check it.

Mr Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister underscored the need for a vibrant transportation system to boost the country's economy. He said the delegates should deliberate on the problems of the public including high fares for carting foodstuffs from producing areas to marketing centres.

Mr Amoah said drivers and vehicles owners must take advantage of the forthcoming Cup of African Nations (CAN 2008) to make it beneficial by making their service a "delight" for the public, particularly foreign soccer fans.

Brother Kofi Asamoah, Acting Secretary General of the TUC said a major challenge confronting the Union was how to achieve unity among members.

Even though the Labour Act (Act 651) permits the formation of other unions, he noted that events had shown that splits were not the way to face the numerous challenges facing the Union. "Splits are an indication of disunity and no union will thrive on disunity", Mr. Asamoah said.

He urged the leadership of the Union and delegates to be guided by the principles of unity and solidarity in their deliberations. While commending drivers and the Union for helping to improve the economy, Brother Asamoah called for intensification of education to checks recklessness on the part of drivers that often resulted in accidents.