A/R: Pragia riders petition over alleged police extortion on Tafo-Mamponteng road
Riders of rickshaws, popularly known as ‘Pragia,’ have voiced frustration over alleged extortion by police officers along the Tafo-Mamponteng road in the Ashanti Region.
The riders claim that officers openly demand money from them without any provocation or traffic violation, and failure to comply results in being delayed or sent to the police station.
Speaking to Otec News, some Pragia operators revealed that presenting proper documents for their tricycles or valid driving licenses does not exempt them from paying bribes ranging from GHC 50 to GHC 100.
They acknowledged committing minor traffic offenses occasionally but insisted that the level of harassment they face is excessive and negatively affects their daily earnings.
The riders made their concerns public during a visit to the Old Tafo Municipal Assembly on Friday, October 31, 2025, where they petitioned officials over what they described as unfair route restrictions that threaten their livelihoods.
The petition highlights the broader challenges faced by the operators in conducting their businesses peacefully and legally.
The protest follows a recent directive from the Assembly instructing all tricycle operators to cease operations along the Tafo–Pankrono stretch, particularly near the busy Tafo Four Miles area.
According to the Assembly, the measure aims to reduce chronic traffic congestion and restore order within the municipality’s major road networks.
In their appeal, the Pragia riders urged the Ashanti Regional Police Command and the authorities of Old Tafo and Kwabre municipalities to investigate the alleged extortion and review the restrictive route policy.
They called for a fair and transparent system that balances traffic management with their ability to earn a living.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah
