Commercial drivers to strike May 19 over roadside trading, traffic violations

Commercial transport operators across the country have announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike on Monday, May 19, 2025. The action is in protest against what they describe as the government’s failure to enforce provisions of the Road Traffic Regulations Act, 2012, which prohibits trading on roads, pavements, and at designated bus stops.

At the centre of their concerns is Sub-regulation 117 of the Act, which explicitly states “A person shall not sell, display, offer for sale or deliver under a sale, goods on or alongside a road; on a pedestrian walkway; within thirty metres of a railway level crossing; under a road traffic sign denoting a blind corner or rise on; within an intersection; or on or alongside a road including a toll booth and a plaza.”

Despite the clarity of the law, the drivers lamented that authorities have failed to enforce it, allowing widespread disregard of the regulation.

According to the transport operators, this negligence has led to unsafe road conditions and worsened traffic congestion in many parts of the country.

At a press conference on Tuesday, May 13, Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Samuel Amoah, said the ongoing violation of the law is putting drivers and passengers at risk.

The protest is being spearheaded by the GPRTU, the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana, and the True Drivers Union.

The union also demanded immediate action from both the Ghana Police Service and the government to address the issue.

“We urge the Ghana Police and the government to enforce the law and take decisive action against traders who flout these regulations. It is unfair that we transport operators are expected to adhere to strict regulations while traders are allowed to operate with impunity on our roads,” said Samuel Amoah.

They further warned that their strike will go ahead if no concrete steps are taken.

“If meaningful action is not taken, we will be forced to take drastic measures. On May 19, 2025, we will park our vehicles in protest, highlighting the need for designated parking spaces and strict enforcement of traffic regulations,” he said.