Three commercial transport groups, led by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of the TUC, on Thursday, October 15, 2026, gave authorities seven days to clear traders and hawkers from bus stops, lorry terminals, pedestrian walkways and road intersections across the country.
The ultimatum was issued at a joint press conference by the GPRTU, the Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana and the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana. The seven-day window runs to about October 22.
The drivers want the spaces cleared before the full rollout of TraffiTech-GH, the automated traffic enforcement system scheduled to go live on November 1, 2026. They say the system could fine them for stopping at unauthorised points when traders already occupy the approved bus stops.
The demand was directed at the Ministries of Trade, Interior, Local Government and Transport, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies.
Why drivers want traders off bus stops
GPRTU Deputy Public Relations Officer Samuel Amoah said traders occupying loading bays and walkways have made it hard for drivers to operate safely.
“Drivers can no longer pick up or drop off passengers safely. This lawlessness has to stop,” he said.
According to the unions, the situation forces drivers to pick up and drop off passengers along the roadside, worsens congestion and increases the risk of accidents. They said walkways meant for pedestrians have turned into trading stalls.
Bus stops and lorry stations named in the ultimatum
The unions listed several busy transport points where they say trading has taken over spaces meant for vehicles and passengers:
- Kaneshie (Accra)
- Accra Central and CMB
- Kwame Nkrumah Circle
- Madina
- Kasoa
- Kejetia (Kumasi)
- Takoradi Market Circle
Amoah said the problem also exists in other major towns across Ghana.
TraffiTech-GH fines and the November 1 rollout
TraffiTech-GH is an automated traffic law enforcement programme run by the Ghana Police Service through its Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD). Offending motorists will receive Electronic Notices of Violation.
Full implementation was originally set for October 1, 2026, but the Ghana Police Service moved it to November 1 to allow more public education on how the system works. GhanaTrends earlier reported on the expansion of TraffiTech digital traffic enforcement on Ghana’s roads.
The unions say the system should not start penalising drivers until roads and bus stops are cleared. “How can a driver be fined for obstruction when traders have left him no space to operate?” Amoah asked.
“The system will fail and will be grossly unfair to drivers if roads are not cleared first,” he added. The groups summed up their position with the line: “We cannot digitalise illegality.”
What the law says about trading on roads and bus stops
The unions cited the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180), as amended, which they say bans selling or displaying goods on roads, road shoulders, bus stops, lorry parks and walkways meant for vehicles and pedestrians.
They called on the authorities to enforce the existing rules and restore order at transport terminals nationwide.
Drivers’ demands at a glance
- Clear traders and hawkers from bus stops, lorry terminals, walkways and intersections within seven days
- Enforce the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180) against trading on roads
- Clear the roads before TraffiTech-GH begins full enforcement on November 1
- Stop fining drivers for stopping outside bus stops occupied by traders
- Repair and modernise traffic lights and other road infrastructure
Not the first ultimatum over bus stop trading
The issue is not new. In May 2025, the Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana issued a similar seven-day ultimatum at the Lapaz-Tema lorry station, demanding the removal of traders from bus stops and walkways.
Concerned Drivers Association Chairman Paa George Williams said it is unfair to penalise drivers for stopping at undesignated spots when traders have taken over approved bus stops. He also urged government to fix traffic lights to improve road safety.
What it means for commuters and traders
For commuters, the dispute touches daily realities at busy stations such as Kaneshie, Circle and Kejetia, where passengers often board vehicles from the roadside.
For traders, a clearance exercise could mean losing selling spots at some of Ghana’s busiest transport hubs. The unions said that if the deadline passes without action, drivers may remove the traders themselves.
What happens next
The seven-day ultimatum expires around October 22, about ten days before TraffiTech-GH’s full rollout on November 1.
No official response from the ministries, the AMA or the Ghana Police Service had been reported at the time of publication. GhanaTrends will update this story when authorities respond.
Key details at a glance
- Who: GPRTU of TUC, Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana, Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana
- When: Ultimatum issued Thursday, October 15, 2026
- Deadline: Seven days (around October 22, 2026)
- Demand: Clear traders from bus stops, lorry terminals, walkways and intersections nationwide
- Trigger: TraffiTech-GH automated enforcement starts November 1, 2026
- Spokesperson: Samuel Amoah, GPRTU Deputy PRO
- Warning: Drivers may remove traders themselves if authorities fail to act
FAQs
Why are drivers asking government to remove traders from bus stops?
Drivers say traders occupying bus stops and walkways leave them no space to pick up and drop off passengers safely, and they fear being fined under TraffiTech-GH for stopping elsewhere.
When does TraffiTech-GH start in Ghana?
Full implementation of TraffiTech-GH is scheduled for November 1, 2026, after the Ghana Police Service moved it from October 1 to allow more public education.
When does the drivers’ ultimatum to clear bus stops end?
The seven-day ultimatum was issued on October 15, 2026, and runs to around October 22, 2026.
Ghana’s main commercial transport unions have put the government on a seven-day clock to clear traders from bus stops, lorry terminals and walkways nationwide, insisting that TraffiTech-GH’s automated fines cannot be fair until the roads are cleared. With the deadline expiring around October 22 and full enforcement starting November 1, attention now turns to how the ministries, the AMA and the police respond.
