The Upper East Regional Public Relations Officer for Cando operators, Christopher Agana, has raised serious concerns over what he describes as excessive financial demands imposed by tricycle owners on riders—an issue he says is contributing to the growing problem of passenger overloading in the region.
Speaking on the BlueWaves Breakfast Show, Mr. Agana called on tricycle owners, popularly known as “Cando” owners, to reconsider and reduce the daily sales targets demanded from operators. According to him, the pressure to meet high daily remittance quotas is forcing many riders to adopt unsafe practices, including carrying more passengers than permitted.
“There is a growing trend where some owners demand huge daily returns from operators. This situation compels riders to overload passengers in a bid to meet these targets and still make some income for themselves,” he lamented.
He warned that such practices not only endanger the lives of passengers but also undermine road safety efforts across the Upper East Region. Mr. Agana stressed that unless immediate steps are taken to address the issue, it could lead to an increase in road accidents involving tricycles, which have become a major means of transportation in many communities.
Beyond the issue of overloading, Mr. Agana also expressed deep concern about the increasing number of underage individuals operating tricycles. He described the involvement of boys below the age of 18 in commercial tricycle operations as a troubling development that requires urgent attention.
According to him, the newly inaugurated Cando operators’ union is expected to work closely with the Ghana Police Service and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) to clamp down on such practices and ensure strict adherence to road safety regulations.
“This is something we are not taking lightly. The union, together with the police and MTTD, will ensure that only qualified and licensed individuals are allowed to operate,” he assured.
Mr. Agana also addressed what he described as a damaging narrative being pushed by some individuals attempting to associate Cando operators with criminal activities, particularly drug dealing. He firmly rejected such claims, insisting that they are unfounded and unfairly tarnish the image of hardworking operators.
“It is not true that Cando operators are drug dealers. These are hardworking young men trying to earn a legitimate living. Such labels are misleading and should be discouraged,” he stated.
In addition, the PRO used the platform to call on government and key stakeholders, including traditional and opinion leaders, to prioritize the improvement of road infrastructure in the region. He noted that poor road conditions continue to affect the efficiency and safety of tricycle operations.
“We are appealing to government and all stakeholders to help fix our roads. Good roads will not only improve our work but also ensure the safety of passengers and operators,” he added.
The concerns raised by Mr. Agana highlight broader challenges within the informal transport sector in the Upper East Region, as stakeholders continue to seek practical solutions to enhance safety, regulation, and public confidence in tricycle services.
Source ; Bluwaves Radio 93.7FM | Maurice Duncan
