Effective today, Monday, November 1, 2021, tricycles, also referred to as ‘aboboyaa’, are to stay away from plying the Accra-Tema motorway.

This will be in response to a recent directive given by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey.

The directive has been a subject of controversy with some members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) kicking against it.

The restriction is the first of a few others expected to come into full force by February 2022 that will rid all of Accra’s principal roads and highways of tricycles.

Henry Quartey in response to critics last week pointed them to parts of the constitution that empowers district assemblies to take such decisions.

He contends that tricycles are hazards on the roads.

“Aside from them [aboboyaa riders] not having drivers’ licenses, the cycles are not properly insured. They dump refuse anyhow in the middle of the road,” he complained.

The restrictions on the use of tricycles within the Greater Accra Region are part of the ‘Making Accra Work’ agenda.

Riders who flout this directive will have their motorbikes and tricycles impounded and given a maximum of a month to explain why their bikes should not be disposed of.

The Ranking Member on the Transport Committee of Parliament, Governs Agbodza, had led the Minority in Parliament to oppose this ban saying it lacked legal backing.

But Mr. Quartey reminded that the motorway falls within the La Dadekotopon, Ledzokuku, Tema West, Tema, Ashaiman and Adentan assemblies which have all endorsed this restriction.

“They [District Assemblies] are exercising their legislative and executive powers saying that Aboboyaa is a nuisance and they pose risks on the motorway,” Mr. Quartey said on The Point of View on Citi TV.

“My good brother Agbodza should avert his mind to Artice 241,” he added.

Tricycles are becoming a part of Ghana’s vehicle mix that ply roads across the country. They are used to among other things cart refuse, sachet water, farm produce and even transport passengers in some areas although that is illegal.

While the use of tricycles has predominately been in rural areas and on the fringes of Accra, they are becoming increasingly popular in the central business district offering various services.