A violent confrontation between the police and tricycle operators in Kumasi has resulted in six police officers sustaining injuries.
The incident unfolded when the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) sought police assistance to restore order as tricycle operators gathered at the KMA premises to reclaim their confiscated tricycles.
Tensions between the KMA and tricycle operators had escalated due to the KMA’s decision to ban the operation of tricycles, locally known as “Pragya,” within the central business district of Kumasi.
Nana Afuah Konadu, the Head of Communications at the KMA, confirmed the injuries and described the operators as refusing to comply with regulations.
“If you go to the hospitals you will see various injuries they have sustained. We realised the situation was getting out of hand. They were not ready to comply, they were ready to hurt anybody that came their way. They just didn’t allow law or order to work, so the military came in, I think about seven or so came in to disperse the crowd. They have left. As you can see, we are continuing for one week, and it will continue again depending on the state of affairs,” she added.
Despite the clashes and challenges faced, the KMA remains steadfast in its decision to enforce the tricycle movement restrictions. Nana Afuah Konadu explained that the policy’s implementation would continue for another week and beyond, depending on the prevailing circumstances.
The conflict initially flared on August 2 when tricycle operators protested against the KMA’s directive to limit their operations within certain areas of the Central Business District. Their demonstration included road blockades, causing significant disruptions to traffic flow and the daily routines of residents.
