Commercial drivers in Accra have given the government and local authorities a seven-day ultimatum to remove traders from designated bus stops, lorry parks and pedestrian walkways, warning that they may take action themselves if the authorities fail to comply.
The drivers, drawn from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC, the Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana and the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana, say the occupation of designated loading and offloading points has disrupted transport operations and compromised road safety.
At a joint press conference on Thursday, October 15, the groups called on the Ministry of Local Government, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Transport to enforce existing regulations and restore order at transport terminals nationwide.
They identified Kaneshie, Accra Central, CMB, Circle, Madina, Kasoa, Kejetia and Takoradi Market Circle, among other locations, as areas where trading activities have encroached on spaces meant for public transport and pedestrian movement.
Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, described the situation as a growing concern for commercial drivers.
“We have observed with grave concern and anger the total and unlawful takeover of our designated bus stops, intersections and pedestrian walkways by traders, market women and men and hawkers,” he said.
He added that several designated bus stops across the country had effectively been turned into markets, making it increasingly difficult for drivers to operate safely.
The transport groups warned that the situation had worsened traffic congestion, increased the risk of road accidents and forced drivers to pick up and drop off passengers along roadsides.
“Drivers can no longer pick up or drop off passengers safely. This lawlessness has to stop,” Mr Amoah said.
The groups cited Regulation 142 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, as amended in 2026, which they said prohibits the sale, display or offering of goods for sale on roads, road shoulders, bus stops, lorry parks, pedestrian walkways and other areas designated for vehicular and pedestrian use.
They maintained that enforcing the regulation was essential to improving road safety, reducing congestion and ensuring that transport facilities served their intended purposes.
The drivers also raised concerns about the planned introduction of TrafficTech GH, an automated traffic enforcement system designed to identify and penalise motorists who commit traffic offences, including stopping at unauthorised locations.
While acknowledging the government’s plans to introduce the system, they argued that its implementation would be unfair if designated bus stops remained occupied by traders.
“The system will fail and will be grossly unfair to drivers if roads are not cleared first,” Mr Amoah said.
He questioned how drivers could be expected to comply with traffic regulations when the designated spaces for picking up and dropping off passengers were inaccessible.
“How can you punish a driver for not stopping at a designated bus stop when that bus stop has been occupied by market women and traders?” he asked.
He also questioned how motorists could be penalised for obstruction when traders had left them with limited space to operate.
The groups insisted that bus stops, lorry terminals, pedestrian walkways and road intersections must be cleared before the automated enforcement system becomes operational.
“We cannot digitalise illegality,” they declared.
They have consequently given the relevant authorities and security agencies seven days to remove traders and hawkers from the affected spaces nationwide, warning that failure to act within the deadline could compel drivers to remove the traders themselves.
The groups called for the complete clearance of all designated bus stops, lorry terminals, pedestrian walkways and road intersections to restore order and ensure safer transport operations across the country.
