Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) who were formerly employed as tollbooth workers have been taken into custody after picketing at the Ministry of Roads.
The group, which spent Tuesday night at the Ministry, was demanding the payment of their salaries for the past two years after toll collection ceased, rendering them jobless. According to reports, they are currently detained at the Central Police Station in Accra.
Sources say as of Wednesday afternoon, no charges had been levelled against them, but none had been released.
In reaction to this event, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the arrest, describing the incident as shocking, given that the people had genuine concerns.
“Reports that disabled persons, whose entire livelihood depended on the remuneration in these extremely difficult times could be arrested and detained by peace officers in Ghana in the 21st century are a dark blot on the already terribly blackened human rights record of the Akufo-Addo government,” a statement issued by the Communications Director, Kakra Essamuah, read.
In November 2021, the Ministry of Roads and Highways issued a directive for the immediate cessation of toll collection on all public roads and bridges nationwide.
The order, effective from Thursday, November 18, 2021, at 12:00 am, came in response to the Finance Ministry’s announcement of abolishing tolls on all public roads.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, while presenting the 2021 budget statement in Parliament on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, noted that persons manning the various toll booths will be reassigned by the government.
However, it has been a biennium, and the government is yet to keep to its word.