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Regional News of Saturday, 21 October 2006

Source: GNA

Dwenase Youth block road to protest

Dwenase (E/R), Oct. 21, GNA - The Osino Police and the Begoro Branch Executives of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union have resolved an impasse between the youth of Dwenase and drivers over transport fares.

The youth of Dwenase on Wednesday, mounted a roadblock in the town in protest against the refusal of commercial drivers plying the Osino-Dwenase route to reduce lorry fares, following the reduction of fuel prices.

As a result, the drivers withdrew their services temporarily, leaving commuters stranded while others walked the 3.5 km-distance from Osino to Dwenase.

The youth demanded that the fare be reduced from 2,500 cedis to 2,000 cedis but the drivers pegged it at 2,300 cedis. The stalemate was resolved through mediation by the Osino Police and the Begoro branch Chairman of the GPRTU, Mr Alex Kwabena Amoamah, with the youth agreeing on 2,300 cedis. However, they cautioned the drivers to ensure that they provide change to passengers who would produce 2,500 cedis due to lack of change.

In brief remarks, Mr Amoamah urged the youth to channel their grievances through the appropriate authorities redress rather than taking the law into their own hands.

This was buttressed by Police Chief Inspector Samuel Wellington Arkoh of Osino Police, who reminded the youth that it was an offence to mount illegal roadblocks.