The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), alongside traders and other transport unions in Accra’s Central Business District, staged a massive protest on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, over what they describe as attempts by private developers to take over the CMB lorry station land.
The demonstration began at the Ridge Roundabout and moved to the Jubilee House, where leaders of the unions presented a formal petition to President John Dramani Mahama.
The protest was spearheaded by the Container Owners Association, the Concerned Drivers Association, and the Commercial Transport Operators. It follows a press conference held on Monday, September 15, 2025, in Accra by Samuel Amoah, Deputy Public Relations Officer of GPRTU, where he revealed plans for the large-scale demonstration.
According to Mr. Amoah, the protest is a response to “continuous encroachment on public land” that was originally allocated for vital transport infrastructure. The unions stressed that the alleged land takeover by private developers threatens the livelihoods of drivers and traders who depend on the lorry station.
“We are pleading with President Mahama that enough is enough. We don’t want any of them (private developers) there again. None of them should step their foot on that land,” Mr. Amoah declared.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the President, Presidential Staffer Bridget Otoo assured the unions that government will take the matter seriously:
“I want to say we see this as very serious and will attach all the seriousness that this deserves,” she noted.
Impact on Traders and Drivers
The unions highlighted that the alleged encroachment has displaced many traders, mostly women, forcing them onto the streets. This development has worsened traffic congestion in Accra and increased safety risks for both pedestrians and road users.
The unions are urging the government to intervene swiftly to protect the CMB lorry station land from private developers and safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of Ghanaians who depend on the transport hub.
