Bob ROCO Romeo

  The independence story of Ghana cannot be discussed without the automobile and transport sector. The colonial Governors and other officials were travelling the country’s length and breadth in automobiles of old; and today cars remain the main means of transport. According to research, the first car to arrive in Ghana – then Gold Coast, was in 1902. The brittle and fastidious vehicle, a paraffin-fuelled and steam-driven French Gardner-Serpollet car, was intended for the Governor of the time. Since independence, Ghana’s automobile assembling industry has come to have good support from the national government - which has enabled it to become one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy. The transport and automobile industry currently accounts for a quarter of GDP, and this year, 2021, it is expected to account for at least 32% of GDP despite the novel coronavirus pandemic. Also, the automotive industry - which is a chief sector that can drive economic forces - has a ...

The coronavirus outbreak continues to impact us all in our various places. New cases are reported daily in different countries around the world. Previously, all suspected cases reported in West Africa were negative; however, the tables seem to have turned. The disease’s spread has been rapid, and institutions have the responsibility of providing education and creating awareness about it. To this end, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other trade unions need to organise engagements for public transport sector operators and all stakeholders as to what the outbreak means for us all. In order to best serve the transport sector’s needs, we must have strict measures to serve as guidelines for public transport operators in the country. Safety is a top priority for all users of public transport. Transport systems are essential for living and daily mobility routines. As moving around our communities is vital, it is very important to take safety precautions. It i...