Mfantseman: The Pragyia Riders Association (PRA) in the Central Region’s Mfantseman Municipality has launched an initiative to repair potholes in the area, aiming to improve road safety for residents and commuters.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative, named ‘Obia bedidi,’ focuses on repairing numerous potholes that have worsened due to recent heavy rains. The project has already started in Mankessim, a key commercial area in the municipality, targeting the damaged Volta Bar Road and the Mankessim-Cape Coast Highway. This effort is a collaborative undertaking with local authorities, security agencies, and the media.
Mr. Adu Gyamfi Marfo, Patron of PRA, shared details of the project during a courtesy visit to Mr. Stanley Acquah, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Mfantseman. Accompanied by PRA executives, Mr. Marfo outlined their vision, seeking the MCE’s support for mutual benefits in revitalizing the municipality. He highlighted that repairing the roads would significantly reduce accidents, improve travel comfort, and ensure safer transportation for both riders and other road users.
Mr. Marfo also acknowledged that while road maintenance is a governmental duty, limited public funds have left many roads in disrepair. As a result, PRA has taken it upon themselves to address this urgent need as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Beyond road repairs, PRA has initiated a comprehensive clean-up campaign across the municipality to improve environmental sanitation. Mr. Marfo emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline among pragyia riders, stating that the association would remove any member who violated traffic regulations or engaged in misconduct.
To promote accountability, PRA has introduced a system of unique identification numbers for tricycles and ID cards with security features for all registered riders. This initiative aims to enhance professionalism within the sector.
Mr. Acquah expressed his admiration for PRA’s leadership, discipline, and civic responsibility, pledging the Assembly’s full support for their efforts. He promised to provide office space to facilitate their operations and improve regulatory oversight. Additionally, the MCE announced plans to extend sanitation initiatives to other communities to enhance environmental cleanliness and public health.
Addressing road infrastructure concerns, Mr. Acquah revealed government plans to undertake road construction projects to improve transportation and accessibility for residents. He also warned parents against allowing children under 21 to ride pragyia, emphasizing that the law would be enforced to address underage riding.