The Cape Cost-Elmina-Mankesim-Twifo Praso branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has appealed to President Mills to help reduce the recently increased road tolls, to make life bearable for them
The drivers made the appeal through the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday.
They reminded the Head of State of an agreement reached between they drivers and him at the Cape Coast Tantri Lorry station shortly before the 2008 general election.
They said when President Mills met them to solicit their votes he assured them of many things and stated particularly that their plight would be addressed expeditiously, adding that "now is the time"
A spokesman of the Executives, Mr John Kwami Amanfo, who is Welfare Officer of the Union, said they are not against the increase per se, but that the jump from eight pesewas to One Ghana cedi would adversely affect them, especially when a driver makes several round trips.
Currently, he said, Road Worthiness Certificate and renewal of licenses have simultaneously been increased and that they would definitely pass the cost on to commuters.
He therefore proposed hat drivers be made to pay once a day and the ticket should enable him to pass all the toll points in the course of subsequent journeys. On the other hand, a system could be evolved whereby drivers could pay rates once a month to government.
Messrs Paul Kwesi Adu, Kweku Hayford, and John Aggrey, Second Trustee and Executive members of the Union respectively, said government should be wary of decisions that tend to make it unpopular.
Mr Adu said it would help the President if the drivers' grievance is addressed promptly than waiting to election time. "That was what cost the New Patriotic Party (NPP) when it refused to listen to drivers' call for a reduction in fuel prices but waited till the nick of time. We rejected them because we saw that they were playing games with Drivers", he added.