We witnessed a tumultuous clash between the outgoing and newly elected executives of the Ghana Private Road Transport Users Association (GPRTU) in the Volta Region on Monday morning in Ho. The situation escalated during the swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected executives of Ho Branch 2, which took a violent turn as the outgoing leaders attempted to obstruct access to the secretariat, housed in a two-storey building.
According to reports the previous leadership had obtained an injunction on the elections and managed to cling to power for over two years, even taking the case to the Court of Appeal. Despite the presence of law enforcement, the ousted executives resisted the handover and locked up the offices, leading to intervention by the Regional Police Command.
After a meeting involving both factions and the national executives, the five new executives were eventually sworn in. Rolex Miheso, representing the National Executive Council of the GPRTU, delivered a dismissal letter to the previous executives and proceeded to administer the oaths of office and secrecy to the newly elected officials.
The newly appointed Chairman, Dickson Dzogbatse, expressed his commitment to fostering peace and cooperation while revitalizing operations to enhance efficiency on the Ho to Accra route. He emphasized the importance of a smooth transition and a united front to support the growth of the Union and transport service.
The events that unfolded in Ho serve as a reminder of the challenges within organizational transitions and the significance of upholding democratic processes. As the new leadership takes charge, it is essential for all parties involved to prioritize collaboration and adherence to legal procedures in order to ensure the effective functioning of the GPRTU and the advancement of transport services in the region.
