The Ghana Private route Transport Union (GPRTU) has stated that it will only call off its planned sit-down strike if the government resumes repairs on the critically degraded Pokuase-Nsawam route.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Saturday, August 16, the union’s National Deputy Public Relations Officer, Samuel Amoah, reaffirmed that the union will not back down until contractors return to the site.
“The only thing that will change our minds is to see the contractors return to the road.” That is the only thing, because when we approached Honourable Agbodza, he said he would give us only six weeks. That money has been released. “The question is, what is the change?” he stated.
Mr. Amoah explained that the union has already issued a one-week ultimatum to the government, which expires on Wednesday, August 20.
“In our release, we stated that we will park the vehicles until the government sends contractors to the roadways. We gave the government one week, which ends on Wednesday. We will begin after that. “It is not a demonstration; it is a sit-down strike,” he explained.
The GPRTU, along with the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) and other stakeholders, had criticised the existing road state as “deplorable and dangerous.” They claimed that the poor condition of the stretch has resulted in increased car maintenance expenses, frequent breakdowns, and safety hazards for passengers and drivers.
The Pokuase-Nsawam segment is an important route connecting Greater Accra to Ghana’s Eastern, Ashanti, and Northern provinces. Transport operators claim that the road’s continuous neglect disrupts economic activity and places excessive costs on commuters.
Despite pledges from the Roads and Highways Minister that the road will be repaired within six weeks, transport unions claim no visible progress has been made, prompting the scheduled strike.
The unions are urging residents, commuters, and all other road users harmed by the bad road conditions to support their action as part of a larger civic drive to hold the government responsible.
