Accra, March 19, GNA - The Accra Circle Overhead Taxi Branch of the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) at the weekend, elected new executives to steer the affairs of the union for the next four years. The four-member executive takes over from a five-member Interim Management Committee.

Mr Nunya Nusenu was elected Chairman with Mr Francis Addo as Vice Chairman while the post of Treasurer went to Mr Louis Osei who was elected unopposed, with Mr Gad Ntiamoah as an Executive Member. Speaking at the function, Mr Ben Amoabeng-Peprah, Greater-Accra Regional Chairman of PROTOA, called on private transport organisations and associations to show more commitment to the provision of a reliable and efficient transport services for the people. He urged members of such organisations to exhibit high professional standards and to help in the achievement of set goals and commended the Branch for contributing seven million cedis towards the National Health Insurance Scheme for its members.

The Regional Chairman said the Association was negotiating with spare parts importers for members to enjoy a hire purchase scheme. Mr Amoabeng-Peprah reminded the new executives of the challenges ahead and urged them to go about their duties with competence, honesty, loyalty, and dedication. Mr Ernest Oppong-Boateng, Regional Accountant of PROTOA, who swore the executives into office, asked them to manage the affairs of the branch within the framework of the Association's Constitution. The Branch chairman, Mr Nusenu gave the assurance that the executives would do everything possible to move the Association forward and said it would institute a distinguished and well-behaved driver award scheme to motivate other members.

Mr Moses Yartel, Chairman of the Dansoman Biakoye Taxi Branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, advised transport operators to guard against negative and divisive tendencies to ensure healthy competition in the sector. He urged the new officers not to lord it over their members and to accept constructive criticisms.