The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has banned all non-unionised commercial vehicles, popularly known as ‘Waa Waa’ from operating in the metropolis.
The KMA and the various transport operators at a meeting to discuss social distancing protocols agreed to also limit the number of vehicles plying the city.
In effect, commercial vehicles which do not join any known transport union will not be allowed into the central business district where the popular Kejetia market and bus terminal as well as Adum are located.
Almost all commercial vehicles which operate from various areas within the Kumasi metropolis eventually end up at the central business district.
To ensure smooth enforcement of the decision, all commercial vehicles registered with the 25 unions in Kumasi will now operate with a unique sticker.
Metropolitan Chief Executive, Osei Assibey Antwi said with the coming into effect the new directive, he said the ‘Waa Waaa’ vehicles will not be allowed into the city centre in particular, saying “They can’t enter”.
“We in the metropolis have also decided that henceforth, either you join the union to be able to operate or you don’t operate at all,” he advised.
The unions have also agreed to comply with the new directive which seeks to promote social distancing in the wake of the deadly novel coronavirus outbreak in the country which has infected 1,671 people and killed 16 of them with 188 recoveries.
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Nana Nimako Bresiamah said the unions are also in support of a rotational system to decongest the city.
By William Evans-Nkum|3news.com|Ghana