By King Amoah
Residents of Adwumaim, Kwabre Kenyase, Obofour, and other communities surrounding Kumasi are urgently appealing to the newly appointed Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, to address the rampant issue of drivers exploiting passengers with inflated fares by using “short distance” tactics.
Passengers utilizing routes leading to and from Kumasi, particularly from Dr. Mensah station, are reporting being subjected to exorbitant charges far exceeding officially approved fares. According to numerous commuters, drivers frequently refuse to travel to their final destinations, forcing them to disembark prematurely and pay multiple fares to complete their journeys.
“It now costs us almost GH¢20 to reach Dr. Mensah in the morning, a journey that should only be GH¢5,” laments a resident of Adwumaim. The situation reportedly worsens during the evening rush hour, with drivers allegedly demanding upwards of GH¢20 from Dr. Mensah station to towns with a standard fare of only GH¢5.
The passengers claim that when challenged, drivers justify these inflated prices citing recent fuel price increases. These explanations often fail to pacify passengers, leading to heated arguments and, in some instances, violent confrontations. The problem, however, is not isolated to the Dr. Mensah station but prevalent across the entire Kumasi metropolis.
Tragically, the situation has even resulted in fatalities. Residents point to a fatal incident in Ahema Kokoben, where a passenger was reportedly killed during a dispute over fares.
Driven to desperation, passengers are now imploring the Regional Minister to intervene decisively. They are specifically requesting the deployment of a dedicated police task force to monitor driver activities and crack down on this exploitative practice. They believe that holding guilty drivers accountable and handing them over to the authorities for prosecution will serve as a strong deterrent and ultimately resolve the problem.
“We need action. We need a police task force to stop these drivers from extorting us every day,” pleaded another commuter from Kwabre Kenyase.
The appeal underscores the urgent need for intervention from the Ashanti Regional Minister to safeguard the rights of commuters and ensure fair and transparent transportation practices. Residents are hopeful that Dr. Amoakohene will heed their calls and implement effective measures to curb this escalating problem and prevent further incidents of exploitation and violence.
