The Ashanti Regional Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) chairman, Nana Nimako Bresiamah has admitted that government’s concern towards drivers is a true sign that Nana Akufo-Addo is much involved in the petitions of Ghanaians and waits for the appropriate time to provide answers towards challenges presented before him.

He addressed that motorists despite the lift of ban for drivers to operate with previous numbers will adhere to the enhanced health protocols to secure lives in such a time of coronavirus outbreak.

“Nana Akufo Addo’s government has indeed shown drivers in the Ashanti Region and beyond that, he is already ready to hear our petitions and provide solutions towards them,” he said.

“We spoke to the president on the challenges we are facing as drivers since the COVID-19 outbreak through the observation of social distancing. He assured to resolve them at the appropriate time. In fact, when we heard that the restrictions have been lifted, we were very excited and acknowledged his concern towards drivers,” he added.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during his 14th Covid-19 address to the nation on Sunday, July 26, 2020, issued new directives for the commercial transport operators to forthwith pick the normal number of passengers as before the lockdown and the accompanying social distancing restrictions.

Nana Nimako Bresiamah speaking to SoireeNews on the matter asserted that drivers have played a key role in observing the social distancing protocols as compared to traders. He explained that some market place and funeral grounds since the installation of the various practices have flouted on the directives yet motorists have been abiding therefore if they are to return to their formal numbers, the protocols will still be upheld for the safety of drivers and passengers.

“It looks like only drivers are adhering to the safety protocols since the outbreak of the pandemic. Our market women are congested with no social distancing rules.

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“Funerals are the same yet we have paid heed to the words of the president since its inception. Although the ban has been lifted, yet it is our mandate that the wearing of masks and other protocols are ensured."

On whether they will decrease the price of fares following the announcement to pick the normal number of passengers as before the lockdown, he added that “every year comes with an increment in fares. Prices are normally increased from January to June and during December, there is a review."

"This year is different. The price increase was not because of the lesser number of passengers due to the social distancing observation but because of the price boost in other sectors associated with the transport business,”

He advised drivers and mates to be tolerant in dealing with passengers who awkwardly confront them in such a time.

“I am entreating drivers and passengers to cope with the new fares. We all pose different attitudes towards new prices and I beseech 'trotro' mates to know how to tackle challenges raised by passengers in such situations.”