The Asokore Mampong Municipal Security Council has taken a step worthy of emulation by others.
They have announced measures in conformity with their mandate to ensure that commercial rickshaws in their area of jurisdiction operate within applicable bylaws.
Documentation of the commercial rickshaws, including the restriction of the business to Ghanaians only, are some of the measures which would ensure safety of the thousands of patrons of their services and inject sanity into it.
A situation where foreigners travel into the country, acquire rickshaws or motorbikes and start operating in disregard of existing bylaws is unacceptable. No decent society where regulations govern activities of citizens would allow this situation to play out.
The irresponsible silence on the part of authorities responsible for the enforcement of bylaws or regulations can be costly.
Many casualties have been recorded because of such silence. It is for this reason that we recommend the way of the Asokore Mampong Municipal Security Council for others to emulate.
Earlier this week, we commented about the influx of foreigners into the commercial motorbike and rickshaw business in Accra and Kumasi. In the latter however, where there are no motorbikes as in Accra, ‘adedeta’ or ‘pragya’ operate.
These transport interventions are critical in easing the movement of people at relative cost, a fact we should not play down.
Until recently, the law forbade commercial motorbike business but government reviewed this, paving the way for a reversal. Although that has come at a cost in terms of high casualty rate and inconveniences to motorists created by the many reckless riders who disregard road traffic regulations, they nonetheless provide an essential service.
The influx of foreigners in the business however is something we kick against without remorse. The business being a provider of a means of livelihood for the youth, should be protected against persons in whose countries foreigners would not be allowed to engage in.
Such flagrant abuse of our immigration laws by the mostly Niger nationals should not be allowed under no circumstances.
Besides protecting jobs for our youths who decide to go into that job channel for want of better options, the announcement by the council in reference seeks to ensure safety of patrons and should be supported by all.
These foreigners, who cannot speak English let alone read road signs, put the lives of their patrons in danger because of this language deficiency.
The number of fatalities as a result of non-bus commercial transportation has risen over the years as more and more motorbikes and rickshaws join the existing numbers on the roads, as bylaws remain dormant in the statute books.
We are surprised that the operators or even owners of these vehicles have not mounted a united front to demand that their industry be protected from foreigners.
We encourage the security councils where foreigners have invaded the industry to engage the Ghana Immigration Service with a view to dealing with the subject matter in conformity with the law and devoid of xenophobic traits.