The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has strongly opposed reported plans to increase commercial transport fares by 20%, warning that such a move would unfairly impact struggling Ghanaians.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the chamber expressed concern over the potential fare hike and urged transport unions to reconsider.
“Our checks with the various transport unions, including the Ghana Private Roads Transport Union (GPRTU) and other driver unions, indicate no such decision has been taken,” COPEC said.
The group questioned the basis for any such increase, describing it as “difficult to comprehend” and warning that it would disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable.
“It is also difficult to comprehend what matrices inform any such drastic upward reviews of public transport fares, as that affects largely the poor and already suffering masses,” the statement added.
Fuel Levy Not Justification Enough
COPEC noted that while the government’s newly introduced GH₵1 levy on fuel prices has raised concerns among drivers, it does not justify a significant fare adjustment.
“The above argument, though true, cannot and should not be the basis for punishing the suffering Ghanaian masses,” the group said. “The overall effect of the new One Ghana levy is still not sufficient to wipe out the sustained reductions recorded at the pumps over the past couple of months.”
According to COPEC, fuel prices, which hovered around GH₵15 per litre in January 2025, have since dropped to between GH₵11 and GH₵12. Some transport operators responded by reducing fares by approximately 15%, while others declined, prompting intervention from local authorities.
“On the balance of odds or numbers, the pricing levels as of today are still not anywhere near the January prices from which transport fare discussions could be had,” COPEC said. “Such is our surprise at the attempts by a section of transport operators to justify a further increase in fares as of this time.”
Reintroduction of Road Tolls Not Grounds for Fare Hike
Addressing speculation that the return of road tolls could also trigger fare increases, COPEC warned that using an unenforced policy as justification was unacceptable.
“It is imperative to note that, an intention which has not yet been enforced cannot and should not form the basis of any increases in transport fares,” the statement read. “The effects will not only be felt by the already suffering masses but will further diffuse genuine outcry by the people for the cost of goods and services to be reduced across all sectors to bring some relief.”
COPEC called for restraint and urged all stakeholders to consider the broader economic impact on Ghanaians before taking any decisions on fare adjustments.
COPEC also highlighted that the GPRTU, the largest transport union in the country, has already dismissed any such plans, noting that neither spare parts nor fuel prices have risen significantly to warrant fare adjustments.
Source: Adomonline.com
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