‘Trotro’ stations become football parks as drivers strike
Drivers and their conductors at the Kasoa, Ashaiman, and Tema Stations have turned the bus station into a football park as a sit-down strike continues in several parts of the country.
Not only do the drivers and their conductors appear to be having a field day this morning (Monday, December 6), but traders joined, giving commentary and cheering the teams on.
Passengers who arrived at the various stations as early as 6 am were left disappointed, with no means of getting to their various destinations.
Some who resorted to ride-hailing services such as Uber, Bolt, and Yango complained of exorbitant charges.
Drivers who are part of the Coalition of Commercial Transport Owners withdrew their services, calling for a review of taxes due to the hardships they were experiencing.
The five taxes and levies are the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy, the Special Petroleum Tax, Energy Sector Levy, Energy Debt Recovery Levy, and the Sanitation and Pollution Levy from the pump price of petroleum products.
A statement signed by Mr Ibrahim Musah, Executive Secretary of the Joint Association of Port Transport Unions, (JAPTU) Ghana, said the Coalition directed the leadership of its affiliates to also join in the protests.
Mr Musah entreated drivers and owners of commercial transports to comply with the strike directive or face severe consequences fully.
He said the sit-down strike was the second step of their protests after operators started displaying red bands on their vehicles from 23 November 2021 to signal the government on their impending industrial action.
He added that all the various transport operators associations took a unanimous decision at a meeting held at the Ghana Trades Union Congress’ building in Accra on 22 November 2021 to protest against the “deafening silence of government in the 2022 budget statement on the removal of the five specific nuisance levies and taxes.”
The group had initially planned a series of protests in November but postponed the action ahead of the 2022 Budget and Economic Policy presentation hoping that the government would address the situation.
However, they feel nothing has changed hence the escalation of their protests to draw the government’s attention to their plight.
Currently, most oil marketing companies in Ghana sell fuel between GH¢6.60 per litre and GH¢6.90 per litre.
Below are some tweets
At least, we have found a new 🇬🇭First XI for Blck Stars amid the 🚌commercial drivers’ strike over fuel prices 😂. Workers walking to work while drivers and mates turn Kasoa Trotro Station into football park⚽️🏟 @Joy997FM.
📹 @mrquavergh pic.twitter.com/TczoICctwy
— Kenneth Awotwe Darko (@TheKennethDarko) December 6, 2021
The sit down strike at Lapaz is serious herh☹️☹️ pic.twitter.com/iI4CJJIQkV
— ABKTHEPOET (@BenedictKerphew) December 6, 2021
Trotro drivers 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/oxQALdlkZ9
— Nungua Lewandowski 🇬🇭👻 (@Lewan_____) December 6, 2021