The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has directed that with immediate effect, the peddling of drugs in any form, must not be allowed on the vehicles of its members.

In a letter to its branches, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, in Accra, the Union said any member who would flout the directive would be severely sanctioned.

The statement, signed by Mr George Ofori-Davis, the Deputy General Secretary/Administration, of the GPRTU, reminded the branches that the peddling drugs on commercial vehicles was a clear violation of section 118(1) of the Public Health Act 2012- Act 851.

One could be prosecuted for violating it, it cautioned.

“The Act states: ‘A person shall not manufacture, prepare, import, export, distribute, sell, supply or exhibit for sale of drug, herbal medicinal product, cosmetic, medical device or household chemical substance unless the article has been registered by the Food and Drugs Authority.’”

“It has come to the attention of the Management of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) that some of the Union’s vehicles are being used as platforms by drug peddlers to practice their trade,” it stated.

The statement said the practice had created a very bad image for the Union in the eyes of the Government and the public, for aiding and abetting illegal activities.

The GPRTU, therefore, asked the branches to ensure that the directive was conveyed immediately to their members for strict compliance.