Tricycle and motorcycle taxi riders nationwide are considering boycotting the 2024 general elections if the government doesn’t show a sincere commitment to formalising their operations beforehand.
At a press conference in Kumasi on February 22, 2024, following a regional executives’ meeting, Mr. Hamza Hafiz, the National Secretary of the National Union of Tricycle Operators of Ghana (NUTOG), highlighted the persistent harassment they face from law enforcement due to the lack of regulation in their industry.
He underscored the crucial role tricycle operations play in providing employment, benefiting over 35,000 individuals and contributing to reducing unemployment.
However, Mr. Hamza expressed disappointment with the perceived indifference of political parties, particularly the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), towards legalising their operations.
He stated that the threat of an election boycott would only be withdrawn if a political party demonstrated genuine commitment to their cause, engaged with them, and promised to legalise their operations if elected. Mr. Hamza urged the NPP government to take immediate steps to formalise their operations to ensure sustainable employment opportunities for the youth, warning of losing support from tricycle and motorcycle taxi riders if action is not taken.