Why I prefer to honour tricycle riders

Who would come to our homes and knock on our doors for us to bring our trash out?

That was the thought that came to my mind when I heard that tricycle riders were to be banned from highways in the country.

The introduction of tricycles in Ghana has come with some benefits to citizens.

It is an employment avenue for some youth. Some use them in the sachet water business, others to cart rubbish, farmers to cart farm produce and logistics and in other businesses.

Tricycles, in my opinion, are more beneficial to us than motorbikes and mini cars.

If there are challenges with their operations on highways, what are the solutions, instead of a ban?

A publication in the Ghanaian Times of Wednesday, November 3, 2021 was to the effect that the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) was organising a training workshop for riders and owners of tricycles at Mpohor in the Western Region.

That is the best solution for accommodating tricycle riders in the country.

The Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Department (RMTTD), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), National Insurance Commission (NIC) and the Mpohor District Assembly partnered together to embark on this educative programme.

About 300 participants were in attendance, showing that most people within Mpohor District depend on this tricycle business.

Tricycle operators must not be treated like refugees from other countries. That is their source of income. Imagine the filth the nation would be engulfed in if they are not in operation in communities as a result of the ban.

Then gutters would be the easiest place to dump rubbish.

Once again, let us educate these tricycle riders, whom we think cause traffic on our roads, rather than banning their operations. We need their services.

Grace Tsotsoo Quaye, Ghana Institute of Journalism, E-mail: tsotsooquayegrace@gmail.com