Awutu-Beraku (C/R), June 14, GNA-Commercial drivers operating in and outside Kasoa have been banned from loading goods and picking passengers from the sides of all major roads in the Kasoa Township. Similarly, hawkers and traders who have been using the pavements of the designated roads to conduct their businesses have also been banned with immediate effect.

The roads included the main Malam-Yamoransa highway which passes through Kasoa, Kasoa-Nynyano road and Kasoa-Bawjiase road. Hawkers and petty traders in the fast-developing commercial town have therefore been advised to use the main Kasoa Market for their businesses. This was the outcome of an extra-ordinary stakeholders meeting organized by the authorities of the recently-created Awutu/Senya District Assembly at Awutu-Beraku. The meeting, jointly chaired by the District Chief Executive for the new District, Mr. Solomon Kwashie Abbam-Quaye and Mr. Kwesi Esseku, the Presiding Member of the Awutu/Senya District Assembly was called to initiate effective measures to reduce to the barest minimum, rampant motor accidents in Kasoa.

Representatives of Kasoa District Police Command, various branches of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) at Kasoa, and the Kasoa Urban Council participated in the meeting described by both Mr. Abbam-Quaye and Mr. Esseku as very fruitful. The meeting also expressed grave concern about the behaviour of some Metro Mass Transport drivers who stop anyhow on the designated routes to off-load and pick passengers and advised them to stop the practice and use the parking lots created for them by the firm which constructed roads in the town. A statement issued after the meeting gave the deadline for commercial drivers and their colleagues operating Metro Mass Transport buses in the area up to next Wednesday, June 18, to comply with the orders of the assembly.

The statement made it clear that after the deadline, any commercial transport operator caught defying the orders of the Assembly will face prosecution and heavy fine. The statement advised all commercial drivers wishing to off-load passengers at Kasoa should use the temporary lorry park created for them by the Assembly to avoid arrest and prosecution. The statement charged all cargo truck operators to use the Kasoa market complex area as their loading and off-loading point or be prepared for similar punishments. The statement blamed cargo truck operators for being part of the major contributory factors of horrible road accidents occurring in the country in recent years, and strongly cautioned big truck drivers in the area to turn over a new leaf for the betterment of the nation. Closing the meeting, Mr. Abbam-quaye expressed his appreciation to the participants, especially the representatives of the Kasoa District Police Command, the GPRTU and leaders of Kasoa Urban Council for their contributions towards the institution of the measures. He further expressed the optimism that they would do all within their individual and collective powers to make the measures achieve the expected objectives. Mr. Abbam-Quaye was hopeful that the measures would help instill a high sense of discipline in commercial drivers in the area. 14 June 08