Aboboya and Pragya riders who operate without a valid driver’s licence or registered number plate in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region will either be fined or prosecuted.
These are among a number of stricter, tougher, and more punitive measures to regulate the activities of Aboboya and Pragya riders, aimed at restoring sanity, enhancing road safety, and strengthening security within the municipality.
The measures are in line with the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683) and the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180), which require motorists to possess valid driver’s licences, operate registered vehicles, and display clearly visible registration number plates.
At a meeting with Aboboya and Pragya riders in January this year, the Municipal Chief Executive, Engr. Ebenezer Aidoo, hinted at the measures and gave operators a six-month grace period to “get their houses in order.”
“The six-month grace period is over. As the Chairman of the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), I have directed the police to arrest any rider operating without a valid driver’s licence and a registered number plate. It is also important to ensure that your number plate is not broken and is clearly visible, including at night, so it can easily be identified from a distance.”
Engr. Aidoo said the activities of some Aboboya and Pragya riders are increasingly becoming a nuisance, stressing that it is in everyone’s interest to restore sanity before the situation reaches a point “we cannot control.”
“Indeed, these riders provide an important transport service, especially to people travelling to remote communities with unmotorable roads. However, some of your colleagues are misbehaving and violating even the basic road traffic regulations.”
The Municipal Chief Executive also reminded riders that it is a legal requirement for a rider to be at least 18 years old, in accordance with the country’s road traffic laws governing the issuance of driver’s licences.
“…A number of your colleagues are below 18 years and are riding. That must stop immediately. The police will ensure strict compliance.”
To improve security, all Aboboya and Pragya vehicles will be required to have a unique identification number boldly embossed at the back and inside the vehicle.
“This way, when someone leaves an item behind, a rider drives recklessly, or the vehicle is used to commit a crime, that particular Aboboya or Pragya can easily be identified. The stickers are ready. They have been designed so they cannot easily be removed. Let me add that removing them constitutes a serious offence.”
Going forward
The Municipal Chief Executive, Engr. Aidoo, hinted that his office is considering the confiscation of Aboboya and Pragya vehicles belonging to recalcitrant riders for community service purposes.
“…Going forward, riders who repeatedly violate these measures will have their Aboboya or Pragya confiscated. We intend to convert some of them into makeshift refuse trucks for waste collection. Others may be assigned to CHPS compounds to improve the mobility of health workers and patients.”
The measures take immediate effect.
Eric Yaw Adjei
