The police harass, disturb, and take a lot of money from us, that’s why we overprice our fares – Kumasi Trotro drivers lament
Commercial drivers operating Trotro services in Kumasi have complained about frequent harassment and alleged extortion by police officers on the city’s roads, which they say contributes to the high transport fares paid by passengers.
During a phone-in segment on Kessben FM’s Maakye morning show, several drivers lamented that they are often stopped multiple times along the same route and asked to pay money before being allowed to continue their journey. According to them, these unapproved payments increase their daily operating costs.
The drivers argued that the constant police checks disrupt their work and force them to pass on the extra costs to commuters through higher fares. “When we don’t pay, they delay us and that affects our trips for the day,” one caller said, explaining that this situation leaves drivers with little choice but to overprice fares.
They also appealed to the Ghana Police Service and relevant authorities to address the issue, stressing that many drivers are law-abiding and only want to work without undue interference. Some callers suggested that clearer regulations and reduced roadside checks could help ease tensions.
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