Some workers who frequently commute by train to Accra were stranded for a few hours following the strike by railway workers.
The Railway Workers Union began their strike today due to the delay in the increase in their salary which has been going back and forth for some time.
A visit to some of the railway stops by Citi News revealed that at the Pokuase Railway stop there was not a single passenger.
This may probably be because they were aware of the strike by the Railway Workers Union.
At the Ofankor-Barrier Stop, two passengers who had no idea of the strike were seen at the station.
One of them, Ahmed Sumaila, a student of St. Johns Grammar School told Citi News, he started boarding the train when the fare from Ofankor Barrier to St. Johns was increased from GHC0.50p to GHC0.80p, which is about a year ago.
As a Muslim Ahmed Sumaila is observing Ramadan and this strike will affect his budget and little savings he was going to use for Sallah celebrations.
“I was saving to buy some dresses towards Sallah; I have to dress up appropriately for the big day”.
According to him, he had only GHC1 in for transportation.
At Achimota, three ladies waited for the train despite their knowledge of the strike. After almost an hour of waiting, the train honked and passes by, it did not stop though the passengers kept stopping them.
Rather, there were men clad in red, probably members of the Union in some of the coaches.
Some passersby urge those who had been waiting for the train to rather join the public vehicles popularly known as “trotro”.
Citi News has gathered that President John Mahama will be meeting the Railway Workers Union later on Monday.
Until both parties reach a compromise those who depend on the train will have to find other means of transport to their various destinations.
By: Magdalene Larnyoh/citifmonline.com/Ghana