Troskis have come under criticism by many since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Ghana. Their failure to observe the social distancing directives outlined by the president of Ghana and the Ministry of Health has been one of the challenges the nation is facing especially in the Kwabre East Municipal.

When the president of Ghana informed drivers on the need to practice the order, majority of transport owners were not punched much by the decision than the “pragia” drivers due to the limited number of passengers they conveyed in normal times.

Per the statement of the Divisional Police Commander for Tafo Pankrono, ACP. K. A Arhin on how troski drivers are on low compliance level in the observation of the precautionary measures of COVID-19, the Kejetia Traffic/MTN Pragya Drivers Association have voiced discontent at the treatment they go through in the hands of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) during their daily duties in such a time.

According to the secretary of the station, Ibrahim Fuseni, drivers have conformed to the measures undertaken by the Health Service to help restrain the COVID 19 by ensuring that even passengers wear nose masks before getting on troskis yet the KMA is always on their necks without a reason.

He has therefore defended that if government does not require their services in the country, it is better to notify them than to unleash security men to haunt them for no wrongdoing.

Ibrahim explained that drivers of troskis who have been flouting the social distancing manner are the ones who do not belong to an association as compared to those who have been mandated by authorities.

“We have been heavily affected by the pandemic. Authorities have instructed us to convey one or two people to observe social distancing. People are not in town as they used to be so it has been very tough for us yet the KMA and police keeps upsetting us,” Adam Fuseni said.

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“The KMA keep chasing us. Soldiers here today, there tomorrow and we are very frustrated not knowing what to. If they want us to stop working, why can’t they just tell us? The Metropolis gave us this place to occupy with the taxi drivers. They attack us all day without any caution on the taxis," he added.

He explained that drivers who belong to the Kejetia Traffic/MTN Pragya Drivers Association are entitled to the payment of dues to the KMA yet the harassment keeps turning up which distract their daily routines and affect them financially.

Adam Iddrisu, a driver at the station rebuffed comments that troski drivers by their own authority have increased fares. The passionate speaker explained that although the social distancing is upsetting their business yet for the sake of lives, they have come to an agreement to accept the former fare regardless of its impact on their family’s welfare.

“The fuel’s price is same as before with no reduction. We owe our owners sales responsibility which put us at an unpleasant situation to make profit judging from the outcome of this COVID-19,” he said.

On the issue of conveying a single passenger, the drivers discarded the idea and affirmed that it will put them in a pole position. Napinada addressed that their service is about easing passengers from the congestion that normally occurs in town yet the Kumasi Metro does not appreciate them. They warned that if such annoyance by security personal does not halt, they will hold a demonstration against government.

“We are Ghanaians and we have an integrity as drivers to protect. Since the arrival of these cars, robbery rate has declined and the youth today have work to do unlike the other years where one needs huge capital base to establish business.

“If they want us to quit this business, they must provide us a job other than that they should stop bothering us for doing nothing wrong. If it contunies like this, we will demosntrate against government,” he added.