Agona Swedru, June 25, GNA - Mr Robert Eshun, Central Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRUT) has warned members to desist from involving the Union in partisan politics. He said since the inception of the Union it had always served the government of the day and urged them to stay neutral but rather work hard to support the government to improve the socio-economic advancement of the nation.

Mr Eshun gave the warning at two bye-elections for the Swedru/Accra and Swedru/Texaco branches of Union at Agona Swedru. He advised the members to conduct themselves well to erase the public perception that the union belonged to a certain political party in the country.

Mr Eshun cautioned that members who flouted the order would not be spared when they were caught to serve as a deterrent to others. Mr Kwesi Larbi was elected to the position of Vice Chairman, Mr Kow Sasah, Secretary and Mr J K Donkoh as 1st Trustee for Swedru/Accra branch.

At the Swedru/Texaco branch Mr Steele Steve Nyakoh was elected as Secretary while Mr Isaac Donkoh got the position of Second Trustee. The bye-elections followed the demise and dismissal of some members. Officials from the Agona District Directorate of Electoral Commission (EC) supervised the elections.

Mr Alex Mustapha, Central Regional Industrial Relation Officer of the Union swore the elected members into office.

He asked them to refrain from bribery and corruption and to stop the "pull him down" attitude to enable the Union to thrive. Mr Eshun commended the Swedru/Accra branch of the Union for taking the bold decision to sack two officials who indulged in corruption and urged other unions to emulate it.

He called on Union leaders to operate an open door policy to attract more drivers to the Union for their future benefit, adding that, "selfish gain on the part of some members can not take the union anywhere".

Mr Isaac Otabil, the Swedru/Texaco Chairman of the Union, urged the drivers to maintain their vehicles during rainy season to avoid embarrassing passengers.

He warned those with defective tyres, lights and other problems to repair them to avert accidents.

Mr Kwesi Larbi on behalf of the new officers pledged to work hard to move the Union in the area forward.