The president of the Union, Bice Osei Kuffuor, also known as Obuor, in an interaction with the press at the 1-week memorial of late dancehall musician, Ebony said the failure of successive governments to dualize major highways has resulted in several preventable deaths.

[contextly_sidebar id=”CxhBw3L5V30YYQkvVITcTB0FWRCa8bgF”]He said it was about time something urgent is done about the situation and the Union will embark on a massive campaign to demand action in that regard.

He bemoaned the increasing spate of road accidents resulting in the death of many Ghanaians.

Obuor told the press that, “when Ebony died, she didn’t just die, it calls for a revolution for us to make a movement towards solving this problem of road carnages. Ghana must welcome us. We will be coming to the districts, regions, cities to solicit for public consensus because it is about time that Ghana as a country has dual carriage roads across all regions. And that is something that we want Ebony’s [death] to be remembered for.

He said MUSIGA will champion the campaign through important collaborations with governmental and arts bodies including the GHAMRO to ensure that road carnages are significantly reduced.

Ebony, born, Priscilla Opoku Kwarteng died in a road accident on February 8, 2018 when a jeep she was travelling in skidded off its lane and ran into a VIP bus at Mankraso in the Ashanti Region.

Her death brings to memory other similar events involving celebrities such as Suzzy Williams, Terry Bonchaka, Kwame Owusu-Ansah and Vybrant Faya.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Catherine Abelema  Afeku, has said her Ministry will embark on a road safety awareness campaign to ensure sanity on the roads to save more lives.

Speaking at Ebony’s one-week memorial service on Sunday, she charged players in the entertainment industry to take the lead in road safety campaigns.

“This is a rallying call for the musicians, the artistes of Ghana to come together and to make a bold statement on road safety on the lives of the precious talent and creative citizens of this country, and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture will support you,” she said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ebony’s death: MUSIGA demands dualization of intercity highways appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Many Ghanaians have been saddened by the demise of the starlet, but there have been conflicting accounts as to how the fatal crash happened.

According to a report from the Ghana Police Service, Ebony, and the two others in the jeep, lost their lives on Thursday night, after their car collided with an oncoming VIP bus, when their driver tried to avoid a heap of sand in their lane.

The police said the sand was meant for the maintenance of the road.

Whereas the occupants of the bus escaped unhurt, the police in its report said only the driver of the Jeep whose names was given as Chartey Oko Pinehad, aged 29, survived the accident, and is receiving treatment at the Bechem hospital.

The police also in its report said the remains of Ebony and the two others have been deposited at the Bechem government hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The police said the driver of the VIP Bus driver has also been given an “enquiry bail.”

Ebony, who’s billed to travel to Belgium this Saturday for a show, and later embark on an European tour, was in Sunyani to visit her mother who returned from the United Kingdom.

We’re ready to assist in investigations – VIP bus

While expressing condolence to the bereaved families, Management of VIP Transport Service said they are fully cooperating with police investigations.

“Management wishes to express its deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the individuals who lost their lives in the accident. The pain and anguish that their families must be going through clearly is unimaginable. We are cooperating fully with the police in their investigations and expect that the full facts of the circumstances of the accident will be made public in early course.”

“We wish to assure the general public that we remain committed to high and rigorous training standards for our drivers, to the safety of our buses, and to the safety and comfort of all our passengers,” a statement from VIP Transport service added.

Below is the full police report:

On 08/02/2018, at about 23:45 hours, suspect driver Chartey Oko Pinehad, aged 29, was driving Jeep No. AS497-16 from Sunyani to Accra with three occupants on board, whilst suspect driver Mohammed Abubakar aged 48 years, was also driving KIA Grad Bird [VIP] bus with registration No. GT 3232-17 from Accra to Sunyani with a set of passengers on board.

On reaching a section of the road between Nyamebekyere and Nsuta, there was a heap of sand in the lane of the Jeep which was being used for the road maintenance, and the driver in trying to avoid running into the sand, swerved onto the opposite lane and grazed the nearside portion of the bus and plunged into the railings at the edge of the road, killing the three other occupants identified as Francisca Nkansah Kuri aged 27 years, Priscilla Opoku Kwarteng [Ebony], and Lance Corporal Vondee Francis Atsu, aged 29 years.

The driver sustained injuries and was rushed to Bechem Government hospital for treatment. The occupants on board the bus escaped unhurt.

Bodies conveyed and deposited at Bechem government hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy. Accident vehicle impounded at the station. Suspect driver on enquiry bail.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Ebony death: Police reveal how accident happened appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the passengers who spoke to Citi News, the driver, Nana Boadi, reversed to chase a saloon car from which an object which broke the bus’ windscreen had been thrown.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ybVTGXH0QFYtM4s9o0oJCLabI5RGnBr2″]When the panic-stricken passengers challenged the driver and demanded that he should resume the trip to Kumasi, the incensed driver got off the bus and left them to their fate.

The dissatisfied passengers subsequently reported the matter to authorities of the Kumasi bus station, demanding an apology from the intercity transport giant.

Speaking to Citi News, the Assistant Secretary of the Kumasi VIP Station, Francis Asamoah, who is in Accra for a meeting over the matter, condemned the action of the driver.

He stated that the driver had appeared before the company’s “Disciplinary Committee” where a decision was taken to suspend him indefinitely, until the company completes its investigations into the incident.

He added that the company remains committed to providing excellent services to its passengers.

‘Our vehicles are insured’

In a statement, the company confirmed that the driver had been sanctioned, adding that he had not followed the appropriate procedure.

“Ordinarily, the bus driver involved should have taken the registration number of the vehicle and reported to the nearest police station. We wish to state emphatically that our fleet has been comprehensively insured,” the statement said.

‘It was terrible’

The angry passengers who narrated the incident to Citi News had expressed their disappointment at the driver’s actions arguing that he could have used a better approach to address the matter, instead of putting their lives at risk.

According to the passengers, they pleaded with the driver not to chase the saloon car but their cries fell on deaf ears as he jumped out of the bus and into a taxi to continue his pursuit.

“On our way, when we passed by a little town called Dadieso, near Nkawkaw, all that I head was a big bang. I was reading by then, so when I raised my head, I saw that the right side of the windscreen had burst and pieces of glass falling all over. So when we tried to find out, we were told that an oncoming car had thrown something and it hit the windscreen,” one passenger said.

“But the driver, instead of stopping and checking on the safety of the passengers, he rather in the middle of that small road made a u-turn and started coming towards Accra. I challenged him and he said he was chasing the car from which the object came from. So he parked by the road just by the railway line, abandoned us and left.”

The passengers eventually joined some VIP vehicles that were also heading towards Kumasi.

“Some of us, with the help of the driver’s mate, contacted the VIP [head office in Accra] so a few of us had to board some of their buses that were also heading towards Kumasi,” he added.

Another lady who was on the bus said: “we all started shouting at the driver when he reversed the vehicle.”

“He [Driver] got out of the bus and jumped unto another VIP bus and sped off. Some of the passengers took taxis and mini vans that were heading to Kumasi. Someone contacted the head office of VIP and they said they will set up a committee to investigate it. I don’t know what they are going to do. It was really terrible. This driver should be called to book,” she added.

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By: Caleb Kudah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Runaway’ VIP Bus driver suspended for abandoning passengers appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The VIP bus driver, identified as Nana Boadi, reportedly reversed the vehicle which had about 30 passengers, and gave the saloon car a hot chase, but later abandoned the bus when the passengers complained about that action.

Some of the angry passengers who narrated the incident to Citi News say the object that was thrown from the saloon car broke a portion of the bus’ windscreen.

They however expressed their disappointment in the driver’s action, since they were of the view that he could have used a better approach instead of putting their lives in danger in that manner.

The driver, according to the passengers, ignored their caution not to chase the saloon car.

The passengers are thus demanding an apology from management of the intercity transport giant which has created a niche for itself with its luxury buses.

They also want the driver of the said bus punished.

“On  our way when we passed by a little town called Dadieso, near Nkawkaw, all that I head was a big bang. I was reading by then, so when I raised my head, I saw that the right side of the windscreen had burst and pieces of glass falling all over. So when we tried to find out, we were told that an oncoming car had thrown something and it hit the windscreen.”

“But the driver instead of stopping and checking on the health of the passengers, he rather in the middle of that small road reversed and started coming towards Accra. I challenged him and he said he was chasing the car from which the object came from. So he packed by the road just by the railway line, abandoned us and left,” one of the passengers narrated.

He said they later joined some VIP vehicles that were also heading towards Kumasi.

“Some of us, with the help of the driver’s mate we contacted the VIP [head office in Accra] so a few of us had to board some of their buses that were also heading towards Kumasi,” he added.

Another lady who was on the bus said: “we all started shouting at the driver when he reversed the vehicle.”

“He [Driver] got out of the bus and jumped unto another VIP bus and sped off. Some of the passengers took taxis and mini urvans that were heading to Kumasi. Someone contacted the head office of VIP and they said they will set up a committee to investigate it. I don’t know what they are going to do. It was really terrible. This driver should be called to book,” she added.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey & Caleb Kudah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Passengers shocked at how angry VIP Bus driver abandoned them appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Some officials of STC, who had visited the Asafo Market terminal to launch the Corporation’s new terminal were denied access to the venue by VIP bus officials.

[contextly_sidebar id=”X38A2yI9LKLfDP6honeowyg3EBvyMcfv”]The Deputy Managing Director for STC, Sintim Aboagye, on the Citi Breakfast Show condemned the move, saying they had met all legal requirements needed to begin operations at the said area.

“Their problem is they don’t want us to be here and they don’t want us to be in competition with them and which I believe has no legal basis because in every industry competition is key, and I thought that if we should allow them to do that then that becomes monopoly.”

“The place does not belong to STC. The place belongs to the Kokofu branch of GPRTU. They had a 25-year permit and they have exhausted only one year, so they have about 24 years outstanding. We have entered into the tenancy agreement with them and we have acquired the necessary legal documentation from KMA to protect us and everything that has to be done to allow us to start our operations has been done.”

STC failed to consult other GPRTU branches

But the Director of Finance for VIP, Prof. Lukemond Owusu Ansah, explained that his outfit staged the protest to oppose some GPRTU officials’ decision to give out part of its land to STC without the consent of other branches of GPRTU.

“This issue came up and there was a little bit of violence here and we told them and the matter was taken to Manhyia …They were told that the whole place was acquired by GPRTU and it was demarcated for the various branches… We have about 21 branches there and it is the property of GPRTU … One or two executives cannot sell the property of GPRTU to STC.

“It is the whole 21 union members who are just contesting that it is constitutionally wrong…We are only saying that STC cannot occupy GPRTU’S land. It is not a property of Kokofu Union. It is a property of GPRTU as a whole” he insisted.

He also denied suggestions that they VIP transport operators, are only resisting STC because they are scared of competition.

One arrested in STC, VIP fight over terminal in Kumasi

Meanwhile, one person has been arrested during a protest by workers of the Neoplan bus terminal at Asafo, Kumasi, in the standoff between them and the State Transport Company Limited (STC).

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post VIP resisting us due to fear of competition – STC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This was after operators of the VIP buses and Inter-City STC clashed over a loading terminal on Monday morning.

It took the intervention of police to calm the situation, and the Ashanti Regional Security Council has promised to meet the leadership of the STC, and the Neoplan bus terminal to find a long-term solution to the impasse between both parties.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, and the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, were also at the scene.

Some officials of STC had visited the Asafo Market terminal to launch the Corporation’s new terminal, but they were denied access to the venue.

The STC’s  move to Asafo was in line with the agenda of the new administration to open as many satellite stations as possible across the country, to make the Inter-City STC more accessible to passengers.

But operators of the VIP claim the move to relocate the STC station close to them was to scuttle their businesses and ‘steal their passengers.’

The also said STC’s decision to establish a loading place at the terminal, is not in order, since they already have two terminals within the Kumasi Metropolis.

Drivers from the Neoplan terminal blocked STC buses from moving, a development that prompted police to deploy over 20 officers to maintain order at the scene.

VIP scared of competition

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, the Deputy Managing Director for STC, Sintim Aboagye, said: “We are here at the Asafo market terminal in our bid to re-brand, recapture and re-position our  brand. One of our strategic positions is to bring transport to the doorstep of the private users and we thought it wise to secure a spot at Asafo VIP near VIP station so in our attempt to launch the station this morning, we came here and realized VIP had virtually blocked us with about three of their buses, denying us access to the place that we legally acquired to carry out operations.”

He wondered why VIP carried out such a move when they had met all legal requirements to undertake their activities there.

“The place does not belong to STC. The place belongs to the Kokofu branch of GPRTU. They had a 25-year  permit and they have exhausted only one year, so they have about 24 years outstanding. We have entered into the tenancy agreement with them and we have acquired the necessary legal documentation from KMA to protect us and everything that has to be done to allow us to start our operations has been done.”Mr. Aboagye believes that the VIP operators are only resisting because they are scared of competition.

STC failed to consult other GPRTU branches 

But the Director of Finance for VIP, Prof. Lukmond Owusu Ansah, explained that his outfit staged the protest to oppose some GPRTU officials’ decision to give out part of its land to STC without the consent of other branches of GPRTU.

“This issue came up and there was a little bit of violence here and we told them and the matter was taken to Manhyia …They were told that the whole place was acquired by GPRTU and it was demarcated for the various branches… We have about 21 branches there and it is the property of GPRTU … One or two executives cannot sell the property of GPRTU to STC.

“It is the whole 21 union members who are just contesting that it is constitutionally wrong…We are only saying that STC cannot occupy GPRTU’S land. It is not a property of Kokofu Union. It is a property of GPRTU as a whole” he insisted.

He also denied suggestions that they VIP transport operators, are only resisting STC because they are scared of competition.

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By: Hafiz Tijani & Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post One arrested in STC, VIP fight over terminal in Kumasi appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

It took police men from the SWAT team from the Ashanti police Headquarters led by Commander of Operations, Supt. Caesar Abanga, hours to bring sanity to the densely populated BB arena as the two protagonists held unto their entrenched position.

Traffic came to stand-still on the tiny stretch of road as many shops remained closed at the time of filing this story.

Operators of the Inter-City STC wrote to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) on September 6, 2017, to acquire one of the dormant bus terminals close to the VIP lorry station at Asafo of which they were granted permit to operate on September 12, 2017.

The move by STC according to the Head of Operations, Ashanti, Lord Inusah Lansah, was to help the state-owned company to run a parallel station at Adum (which remains their main office) and Asafo to maximize profit.

Indeed, the plan to move to Asafo was in line with the agenda of the new administration to open as many satellites stations as possible across the country to make the rebranded Inter-City STC more accessible to passengers.

But the operators of the VIP said the move to relocate the STC station close to them was to scuttle their businesses and ‘steal their passengers.’

A leading member of the VIP, Kwame Adu Gyamfi, told the Daily Graphic, it took them years to build the transport business and would not allow anyone to scuttle it.

“When we came here, the entire arena was swampy and unattractive. It took hard work and dedication to bring the place to this current level. It will be unwise on our part to give portions to our main competitor,” he said.

The Public Relations Officer of the KMA, Godwin Okumah Nyame, confirmed the granting of permission to STC, and noted that it was a competitive world and VIP should brace themselves for it.

He said there were other minor stations close to VIP which loads to Accra, and so why should the VIP managers target only STC.

Mr. Okumah Nyame said the move by STC should rather be applauded by commuters because the in-coming competition would inure to their benefit.
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By: Graphic/Ghana

The post Operators of STC, VIP fight over terminal in Kumasi appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Some officials of STC had visited the Asafo Market terminal to launch the Corporation’s new terminal, but the unexpected happened when some officials of VIP denied the officials access to the venue.

Reports indicate that, managers of the VIP buses had also blocked the main entrance to Asafo Market, bringing commercial activities to a halt.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, the Deputy Managing Director for STC, Sintim Aboagye, said: “We are here at the Asafo market terminal in our bid to re-brand, recapture and re-position our  brand. One of our strategic positions is to bring transport to the doorstep of the private users and we thought it wise to secure a spot at Asafo VIP near VIP station so in our attempt to launch the station this morning, we came here and realized VIP had virtually blocked us with about three of their buses, denying us access to the place that we legally acquired to carry out operations.”

He wondered why VIP carried out such a move when they had met all legal requirements to undertake their activities there.

“The place does not belong to STC. The place belongs to the Kokofu branch of GPRTU. They had a 25-year  permit and they have exhausted only one year, so they have about 24 years outstanding. We have entered into the tenancy agreement with them and we have acquired the necessary legal documentation from KMA to protect us and everything that has to be done to allow us to start our operations has been done.”Mr. Aboagye believes that the VIP operators are only resisting because they are scared of competition.

“They see us a competition that will give them a run for their money so they want to stop us.”

STC, the once vibrant state transport company which nearly collapsed, is up on its feet again in a massive re-branding offering better services.

STC failed to consult other GPRTU branches 

But the Director of Finance for VIP, Prof. Lukmond Owusu Ansah, explained that his outfit staged the protest to oppose some GPRTU officials’ decision to give out part of its land to STC without the consent of other branches of GPRTU.

“This issue came up and there was a little bit of violence here and we told them and the matter was taken to Manhyia …They were told that the whole place was acquired by GPRTU and it was demarcated for the various branches… We have about 21 branches there and it is the property of GPRTU … One or two executives cannot sell the property of GPRTU to STC.

“It is the whole 21 union members who are just contesting that it is constitutionally wrong…We are only saying that STC cannot occupy GPRTU’S land. It is not a property of Kokofu Union. It is a property of GPRTU as a whole” he insisted.

He also denied suggestions that they VIP transport operators, are only resisting STC because they are scared of competition.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post VIP blocks STC from loading buses at Asafo market  appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the MP, “government cannot make dubious payments to companies like Subah Infosolutions and others while complaining at the same that it cannot raise money to support its suffering industries.”

Commenting on the recent retrenchment of some workers of AngloGold Ashanti, Mr. Kwarteng attributed the closure of the mine to erratic power supply and increase in utility tariffs and asked government to act swiftly to save the economy from collapsing.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, the MP emphasized the need for government to introduce an industrial power policy that will ensure that consumers pay reasonable prices for power supply.

He suggested saying, “government must have a policy towards industrial power. In Ghana unlike elsewhere, our industries and business pay higher for electricity supply than domestic and other consumers so I think Government should look at this policy.”

The policy, he said, will also ensure power generation in the country is adequate and reliable.

The country has been experiencing energy crises for over a year now which is hurting industries and local businesses.

Although government has given the assurance it is taking measures to control the power outages and load shedding, the problem still perisists.

The MP further noted that the demand for power in the country is not matched by supply, adding that, Ghana’s power companies are failing to respond to the future demands of power consumers.

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), according to the Legislator, is financially handicapped because it is managed by government.

In that regard, he charged government to quickly respond to the country’s declining energy sector to save the country from its economic challenges.

By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Fix power crisis to halt decline of industry -MP to gov’t appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.