The Effutu Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Rev. Atta Mensah, has engaged members of the various Transport Unions in Winneba including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to discuss challenges confronting commercial transport operators and measures to improve transportation services in the Municipality.The engagement, held at the Conference Room of the Effutu Municipal Assembly in Winneba, brought together Transport Union representatives and officials of the Assembly.The discussions focused on road construction and dust, security at the transport station, access routes, sanitation, transport fares, professionalism among commercial drivers and the potential role of the transport sector in the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy.The GPRTU members expressed concern about excessive dust generated by ongoing road construction around the roundabout, attributing the situation to the irregular watering of the roads by the contractor.They said the dust was affecting drivers, passengers, residents and other road users.In response, Rev. Mensah assured the members that the Assembly would engage the contractor to ensure that the roads were watered regularly during the construction period to minimise dust and its associated effects.The Unions also appealed for the deployment of police personnel to the transport station to improve security, maintain order and prevent activities that could disrupt operations.Rev. Mensah said some individuals operating around the roundabout did not have the legal authority to operate there, and indicated that measures would be taken to restore order.He assured the GPRTU that the Assembly would work towards ensuring an active police presence at the station.The transport operators further raised concerns about access to the station, particularly routes from Accra and Swedru towards Takoradi, as well as the operations of the Assembly’s task force, especially the absence of personnel during weekends.The MCE advised the Union to formally petition the appropriate authorities on issues that could negatively affect transportation operations and the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy.He also encouraged the GPRTU to submit practical proposals on how the transport sector could contribute to the implementation of the initiative within the Municipality.On sanitation, the Union appealed to the Assembly to provide waste bins, gloves and nose masks at the station to improve sanitation and protect the health and safety of transport operators and other workers.Rev. Mensah also called on commercial transport operators to demonstrate greater professionalism in their operations.He stressed the need for discipline and an appropriate dress code for taxi and trotro drivers, saying professionalism was important to improving the image of the transport sector and the quality of services provided to the travelling public.He reminded the operators that the Effutu Municipal Assembly had rules and regulations governing activities within the Municipality and urged them to comply with the established regulations.On transport fares, the MCE directed the GPRTU and the other Transport Unions to put on hold any proposed increase in taxi and trotro fares until the matter had been duly considered and officially communicated by the Assembly.Following the engagement, Rev. Mensah announced that the Assembly will issue an official statement on the proposed new fares.The MCE’s statement clarified that the existing transport fares would remain in effect, while the proposed new fares would remain on hold pending further communication from the Assembly.The MCE assured the GPRTU of the Assembly’s commitment to working with the Union and other stakeholders to address the challenges raised and improve the efficiency and safety of commercial transportation in the Municipality.He urged the operators to cooperate with the Assembly, comply with the rules governing transportation activities and continue to use the appropriate channels to raise concerns affecting their operations.
Story By: Charles Baah Aboagye & Blessing Gadeka – ISD
Last modified: October 1, 2026
