Drivers plying the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology junction to Ejisu yesterday began a two-day sit down strike to protest unlawful arrest by the police.
The situation left commuters at Ayigya and its surroundings stranded as commercial drivers (trotro drivers) refused to move their vehicles or allow other passing vehicles to stop and pick passengers.
Both the young and old, including school children and pregnant women, were seen trekking to the main business centres of Adum and Kejetia for their day�s activity.
Eight people were arrested during the early hours of the day after a brief scuffle with the police following a blockade of sections of the road, and were being processed for court.
A source close to the police told The Finder that the drivers had been warned not to park or pick passengers at the KNUST bus stop but they had refused and continued to park there saying since there was no official bus station for them to operate, they had no option than to use the place, which is unapproved for picking and offloading passengers.
A spokesperson for the drivers, Mr Kwame Appiah said the rampant arrests of drivers and alleged extortion of money by the police had compelled some of them to quit the job.
The drivers took to the street, which caused heavy vehicular traffic, and also alleged that the police collected at least GH₵1,000 for each arrest and those sent to court pay up to GH₵6,000.
Mr Appiah appealed to the city authorities to provide a temporary place for drivers to legitimise their operations while they wait for a permanent place to do their business.
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