We are exhausted by Police harassment - Pragia Drivers of Kwabre East laments

More than 200 drivers streamed on the streets of Tafo Pankrono and expressed displeasure at the conduct of the Police and Military towards seeking justice and fairness.

We are exhausted by Police harassment - Pragia Drivers of Kwabre East laments
Pragia drivers

Pragia Drivers in the Kwabre East Municipal of the Ashanti Region have demonstrated against the Police Service ill-treatment against their trade.

They have therefore called on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to come to their aid and help define their stance in the Region.

According to the angry riders, the Police have found unscrupulous ways of squeezing monies from them without reason, a situation which keeps worsening day in and out without any solution hence the expression of their anger.

The Police on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, arrested and seized several Pragia motors in the Tafo Municipal and per the complaints of the drivers, no tangible charge was laid against them when arrested yet the policemen extorted monies from them with threats of taking them to court.

More than 200 drivers streamed on the streets of Tafo Pankrono and expressed displeasure at the conduct of the Police and Military towards seeking justice and fairness.

Speaking to an Executive Member of the Pragia Drivers Association at Tafo 4 Miles who failed to disclose his name for certain reasons, he stressed that they have been exposed to unfair management in the hands of the Police in the Tafo Municipal. He explained that they are recognized as legitimate drivers in the country with licenses yet their accreditation is always overlooked each passing day.

“They started collecting our keys and license this morning for no reason. We have done nothing wrong and are licensed drivers. We pay road worthy and all the required monies demanded of us from the government yet we don’t know why the police keep harassing us every day.

“We need explanation. We are calling on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to intervene in our case. We have been defined as part and parcel of the transport sector and we can’t go through this treatment. Lots of young boys have been employed in this job. We have no problem with them arresting the underage boys and drivers without licenses but what of us? We are legalized transporters so we need explanation,” he added.

Kankam Boadu, a Pragia driver bemoaned that the security service has failed to educate and regulate them on what they require from drivers yet they seize their rides and until the demanded amount is paid, they are frustrated from working.

“Is it right for the Police to take your license and seize them because there is no money in them? He quizzed.

“Is it right for them to arrest a licensed driver because you are not wearing shoes? They just take monies from us through any unlawful means.

“The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo Addo knows the rate of traffic in the Kwabre East and what we are doing to resolve the challenge. We are also residents among our people and we demand fair treatment.

"The Police, Military, Fire, Prisons and even Zoom lion officers are always arresting and taking monies from us. What is the meaning of all this?

They have called on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to intervene and help them define their stance.

Francis Boakye Yiadom