Accra, May 28, GNA - Mr. E K Gbedemah, former National Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) on Sunday, stepped down as Chairman of the Accra-Aflao Branch No seven of the Union at an election conducted by officials of the Labour Department presided by Alhaji Artey Tetteh, Greater Accra Regional Chairman.

The former National Chairman stepped down after the sorting out of nomination papers, which indicated that majority of the members legible to vote had nominated Mr. Eric Kpogli, the other candidate for the position.

Just as the stage was set for voting, Mr. Gbedemah indicated to make a statement and announced his withdrawal saving the members the problem of going through the voting process on the wet afternoon. Other Executives Members of the branch returned unopposed were Mr. Wisdom Sedegah, Vice Chairman, Mr. William Nyamorde, Secretary, Mr. Godfred Hadzor and Mr. Peter Okai, First and Second Trustees respectively.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after the election, Mr. Kpogli, promised to run an open administration that would be accountable to the members to ensure peace and tranquility.

The new Branch Chairman popularly known as Zigilala said he would ensure regular meetings for the members to know what he called, "The state of the Union" and to discuss their welfare.

Earlier in another election of officers for the Accra-Dzodze Branch, Mr. A K Tamakloe was returned unopposed for a second four-year term with Mr. Seth Kudolo as the Vice Chairman and Mr. C Y Bakah also returned unopposed for another term as Secretary while Mr. Philip Harmenu was elected First Trustee and Mr. Kwadzo Agbleke returned unopposed as Second Trustee.

Mr. Tamakloe called on the members to co-operate with the Executives to move the Union forward and declared his intention to ensure the opening of more loading points for their route within the capital.

He promised to ensure strict discipline among the members and advised drivers to desist from over-speeding and to obey road traffic regulations, adding that, "Drivers of this branch found persistently drunk" would be suspended

The new Branch Chairman said he would strive during his term to ensure an improvement in the welfare of the members and negotiate for more vehicles to register with the branch by encouraging them to purchase their own transport.

The Greater Accra Regional Vice Chairman, Mr. Robert Sabah, commending the members for comporting themselves said the GPRTU was a democratic organization and urged them to support their Executives, adding that, they should not to take the law into their own hands. He asked the Branch Executives to ensure accountability and advised the members to take interest in the education on the re-denomination of the cedi.

Going through the electoral list for the elections during which unqualified voters were deleted and legible ones included, Alhaji Tetteh asked the members to ensure a free and fair poll and said, "God makes a leader and whatever we do would be accounted for one day", adding that, "God only makes a leader through man".