Pragia Riders Crash Killed 130 Compared to 108 Killed By Commercial Vehicles

Tricycle Motor Operators popularly known as Pragia riders have recorded 345 accidents in the Eastern Region of Ghana, killing 130 passengers from January to July 31, 2021.

The number of fatalities is more than 108 killed by commercial vehicles.

The region recorded 97 fatal accidents, 137 serious accidents, and 450 minor accidents during the period.

Crashes involving private cars claimed 50 lives while 54 pedestrians were crushed to death, adding that a total of 342 persons were killed in the region during the period under review.

The Eastern Regional Commanding officer of MTTD, Chief Superintendent Stephen Ahiatafu has indicated, they will start prosecuting Okada riders who are illegally using their rides for commercial purposes.

He made this known during a stakeholder’s forum organized by YMCA and was participated by about 400 Pragia riders in Koforidua.

“It has become a national issue as the law is very clear especially section 1(28) of the LI 21/80 regulation 2021 state, that these motorcycles and tricycles should not be used for commercial purposes.  Even those who are being carried onboard have also committed an offence.  It is a national issue and we are waiting for what authorities will say, but seriously they are causing a lot of fatalities. The way things are going I think there is the need for us to do something so definitely we will go after them”, the commander said. 

The Eastern Regional Director of YMCA, Daniel Ofosu indicated, that the purpose of the program was to facilitate stakeholders’ dialogue with the riders to discuss ways to foster discipline among the riders to curb the increasing carnages.

The Chairman of the Pragia Riders Association in the Eastern Region, Kasimo Osmanu accused some drivers of deliberately knocking down Pragia riders out of jealousy that they are destroying their business.

He also admitted that some of the riders are minors pushed into the business by owners of the motorized tricycles.

William Ofori Akwaboa, Eastern Regional Correspondent