We’re to Blame for Pragya Issue – KMA Presiding Member

Hon. Patrick Kwame Frimpong, a Presiding Member of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), has openly acknowledged that the KMA shares responsibility for the challenges associated with tricycle (pragya) operations within its jurisdiction.

In an interview on Opemsuo Radio’s Nkwantannanso with George Adjei on August 8, he expressed that the KMA should have acted more promptly, similar to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Techiman, and Sunyani, which had already imposed bans on tricycle movements. He pointed out that the negative consequences of tricycle operations caught them off guard.

“It is like when you get married sometimes, you do not know that your wife could give birth to this large number of children then you resort to family planning. But someone who has difficulty giving birth doesn’t need family planning so we ignored it. But now it is overwhelming, so we have to intervene,” he explained.

Mr Frimpong emphasized that the law remains in effect, and the KMA is committed to addressing any violations. He clarified that when they make arrests, the tricycles are seized, and they are determined to continue enforcing the law.

“We have not lost hope in implementing the law,” he affirmed.

The recent ban, implemented from August 1, restricted tricycle operations within areas like Kejetia, Adum, Alabar, and Dr. Mensah in the central business district. The enforcement of the ban led to the impoundment of 46 tricycles, sparking protests and conflicts that resulted in property damage at the KMA office and injuries to police officers.

Story by Adwoa S. Danso