The National Union of Tricycle Operators Ghana (NUTOG) has appealed to Parliament to expedite the passage of a bill that seeks to regulate and ensure effective enforcement of laws governing tricycle operations across the country.
Speaking in an interview with the press, the National Public Relations Officer of the Union, Emmanuel Kwao Arku, said the bill, which was laid before Parliament prior to its recess, holds the key to addressing most of the challenges confronting tricycle riders. He urged lawmakers to fast-track its passage now that the House has resumed sitting.
Mr. Arku explained that the passage of the bill will give legal backing to the regulation of tricycle operations, allowing for proper enforcement of standards within the sector. According to him, once the law comes into effect, any member who flouts its provisions can be sanctioned accordingly — a move he believes will bring sanity, order, and professionalism to the system.
He said the ball is now in Parliament’s court, and members must act swiftly to ensure that the regulatory framework is passed into law for the protection of tricycle operators and the general public. He expressed optimism that Parliament will treat the matter with urgency, given the sector’s growing contribution to employment and local transportation.
Mr. Arku further emphasized that the Pragya business has created significant employment opportunities for both educated and uneducated youth, thereby reducing Ghana’s unemployment rate. Many young people who could have been idle or involved in unlawful activities, he noted, now earn honest incomes through tricycle operations.
He commended the government and the sector Ministry for their continuous engagement and support, which have sustained the tricycle industry. He added that regular consultations between NUTOG and the Ministry have helped in resolving several operational and policy-related challenges affecting members.
Highlighting the importance of Pragya operations, he said tricycles have made transportation easier within communities, especially in areas where taxis are either unavailable or too expensive. “In areas where taxis charge GH¢100, the Pragya takes GH¢10 — which is more affordable and convenient for the ordinary Ghanaian,” he remarked.
Mr. Arku also lauded the Tafo-Pankrono Municipal Assembly for positively responding to a petition submitted earlier by the Union. He described the Assembly’s decision to listen to the concerns of tricycle operators as a mark of good leadership and urged other assemblies across the country to emulate this approach.
Touching on the activities of some task forces, he clarified that NUTOG is not against their establishment but strongly condemned unlawful abuse, intimidation, and extortion meted out to riders by certain groups. He said that while the MTTD ensures that vehicles are roadworthy, some of these task forces act outside the law, subjecting young operators to unnecessary harassment.
In conclusion, Mr. Arku urged all Pragya riders nationwide to remain professional, disciplined, and law-abiding, assuring them that NUTOG will continue to advocate for their welfare and ensure that the tricycle sector receives the recognition and legal backing it deserves in Ghana’s transport system.
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