We Are Going Through Hell – Toll Workers Chases Govt Over Unkept Promises

The Ghana Toll Workers Union has issued a fervent plea to the government, urging the fulfillment of promises made to them in the aftermath of the cessation of road and ferry tolls.

In an official statement issued by the leadership, the union expressed deep concern over what they perceive as years of neglect following the government’s decision to abruptly halt their jobs.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the union disclosed that approximately 800 of its members are presently without employment.

This predicament arose when the Ministry of Roads and Highways took the controversial step of “illegally scraping the collection of Road and Ferry Tolls in Ghana.”

In the face of this sudden upheaval, a ray of hope emerged with promises from the Minister for Finance Ken Ofori-Atta after the budget statement that all toll workers would be re-assigned to new jobs.

This commitment was echoed by the 2nd Deputy Majority Chief Whip, Habib Iddrisu when he received a petition on December 30, 2021, on behalf of the parliamentary majority.

Additional assurances included a monthly allowance to sustain these workers during the transitional period, a commitment reiterated by the Minister for Roads and Highways in subsequent discussions.

According to the statement, is however said to note that three years after the cessation of toll collection, these promises remain unfulfilled.

 

Despite heartfelt pleas directed at Chief Directors, Heads of Departments, and the then Hon Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwesi Amoako Atta, the toll workers continue to grapple with their dire circumstances.

The union emphasized the toll workers’ sense of abandonment and disappointment, pointing to the extended period during which they have felt neglected by the government.

They stressed that these promises were made to alleviate the economic impact on their members after their jobs came to an abrupt halt.

The toll workers express deep sadness and confusion as to why the government, which was responsible for their sudden unemployment, has failed to honor its commitments.

They emphasize that the cessation of toll collection was not due to any fault of theirs, making the situation all the more difficult to comprehend.

The union wants the government to acknowledge their existence and the continued anticipation for resolution.

They implore the government to uphold its promises and bring closure to this protracted stalemate, as the current situation has become exceedingly unbearable for them.

The statement, in conclusion, noted that the plight of toll booth workers in Ghana stands as a poignant reminder of the impact government decisions can have on individual lives.

They therefore seek not only reassignment but also the restoration of their dignity and the fulfillment of promises that were made in the wake of their abrupt unemployment.

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Speaking to the General Secretary of the Union, Mr. Duncan said the workers are “going through hell,” especially in the current economic situation.

“Three years after the cessation of road and ferry toll collection in Ghana, the government does not care about us. They only care about themselves, their families, and their friends,” he stated.

According to him, the treatment being meted out to them by the government is unfair.

“It is not fair, and I am very disappointed in how the government is treating us. The issue has greatly affected us. Some marriages have broken down, others have gone back to mining, some even to illegal mining, and many are now unemployed,” he said.

Mr. Duncan emphasized that the toll workers were not responsible for the closure of the booths.

“It was no fault of ours that the tolls were closed. Some of our members have even resorted to begging to survive,” he added.

The General Secretary also revealed that the association had taken action by sending two letters to the Vice President’s office, but there has been no response for months.

“We have not heard from them for six months. No one has even acknowledged us. When we went to former President Mahama with our letters, he listened to us. He made policies for us and even outlined plans to reinstate the tolls when elected as president,” Mr Duncan noted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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