Tamale, Jan 12, GNA - Mr. Amadu Zakaria, the Northern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), has said the union does not encourage the sale of alcohol within lorry parks in the Tamale Metropolis.

He said because the Tamale community is predominantly Muslim, most of the drivers do not drink and even those who drink hide to do it. "In spite of this, the union has banned the erection of kiosks for the purposes of selling alcohol within the lorry parks", Mr Zakaria said in an interview with the GNA.

Mr. Razak Idris, a ticket seller at the Tamale/Kumasi Express station, said "Most of us are Muslims and therefore don't drink alcohol but some of our members may drink secretly before they reach the station."

A GNA survey showed that there are no drinking spots at the Tamale/Salaga, Tamale/ Savelugu/Kumbungu, Tamale/Daboya and Tamale/Kumasi lorry stations.

When contacted the Tamale police said they were not aware of any exercise to demolish kiosks selling alcohol at the lorry parks. 12 Jan 07