Drivers protest land takeover at CMB lorry station
By Solomon Nartey Tetteh
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and allied groups on Tuesday, 16 September 2025, staged a massive demonstration in Accra’s Central Business District to protest what they described as the unlawful takeover of lands allocated for lorry stations at the Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB) area.
The protesters, comprising drivers, traders and market women, accused private developers of encroaching on the land with the backing of the Railway Authority.
Speaking to journalists, the Industrial Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Alhaji Abass Imoro, expressed deep concern over what he described as the continuous loss of transport terminals to private interests.
“As we speak, another businessman has also claimed portions of the land have been allocated to him. Surprisingly, these issues keep arising due to the activities of the Railway Authority. But if you are a manager or director at the Railway, the government land does not belong to you,” he stated.
He appealed for urgent intervention, stressing that the GPRTU was committed to dialogue. “We are pleading with the authorities to come to our aid and help revamp the lorry station because we are losing what we have,” he said.
The group later presented a petition to the Presidency, where it was received by Bridget Otoo, a Presidential Staffer in charge of Government Communication. She assured the protesters that their concerns would be carefully reviewed and addressed.
The Concerned Drivers Association also backed the demonstration. Its President, William Osei, called on drivers nationwide to park their vehicles in solidarity with the cause.
Market women who joined the protest expressed fears that the takeover of the land would threaten their livelihoods.
They appealed directly to Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and First Lady Lordina Mahama to intervene, warning that thousands of traders and informal workers risk displacement if the projects continue.
