PROTOA holds National Congress
THE PROGRESSIVE Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) has finally held its much-awaited National Congress in Kumasi, with a call on both drivers and passengers to strictly observe road safety regulations, in order to avoid road accidents, in the run-up to the crucial December 7 elections, and the Christmas festivities.
The National Congress, which was held to elect national executives to steer the affairs of the association, was the second since the election of the late Mr. B. K. Owusu in 1984.
The association was of the belief that as political campaigns reaches its climax, with the various political parties rounding off rallies in all parts of the country, supporters who travel to campaign grounds should be extra careful and vigilant.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association, Nana Atekoasa Danso Agyeman, therefore pledged the association's support to the Electoral Commission (EC), by offering available buses to convey electoral officials and materials to and from polling stations.
The association called on the government to consider their appeal for a reduction in the prices of the newly-acquired Yutong buses, which were being given out to private transport owners, on a hire purchase basis.
According to members of the association, the GH¢142,500 and GH¢78,850 proposed prices for both the 51-seater and the 33-seater mini buses respectively, were too expensive for the individual transport owners, and would therefore be very grateful if the government would heed their request for a reduction in the prices, in order to improve private-government participation in the transport industry.
The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Roads and Transport, in collaboration with the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and the Intercontinental Bank, was currently distributing 250 Chinese-made Yutong buses to individual transport associations across nine regions of the country, as part of efforts to improve road transportation in the country.
Under the agreement, interested transport associations were expected to make a down-payment of GH¢7,125 for the 51-seater bus, and GH¢3,942.50 for the mini bus, after which the rest of the amount would be spread over three years.
Meanwhile, the association has elected Mr. Ben Peprah Amoateng as its National Chairman, with Samuel Agyemang as his vice. Other members include Ernest Oppong Boateng, National Treasurer, Raphael Kwaku Quainoo, National Organiser and Steve Sarfo as Assistant Treasurer.
They were all elected unopposed, under the supervision of officials of the Electoral Commission. In a short address, Mr. Peprah Amoateng pledged to work hard, to ensure that government gives the association the needed attention and recognition, when it comes to taking decisions affecting the transport sector.