GPRTU Threatens To Sanction Drivers Who Fail To Reduce Fares As Directed
- Transport fares were expected to go down by 15% from Saturday, May 24, after the government and transport operators negotiated
- However, some drivers are not complying with the directive, and this has made the GPRTU unhappy
- The GPRTU warned its members to comply with the directive or face the consequences of disobedience
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The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) cautioned transport stations and branches to desist from defying the 15% fare reduction directive.
The GPRTU stated that it would impose sanctions on all members who did not comply with the directive.
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The General Secretary of GPRTU, Godfred Abulbire, told Accra-based Channel One TV that some areas are yet to comply with the directive but gave reasons for the late adjustment.
He said in the Ashanti Region, for instance, they received the communication late, hence the delay. However, he assured that measures have been put in place to ensure full compliance.
“The chairman has forwarded another press release and made it known that by tomorrow, if stations or branches working under us don’t comply with the directives, sanctions will be meted out to those terminals.”
Godfred Abulbire explained that the most applicable punishment would be disallowing a non-compliant driver to load passengers.
“A particular punishment drivers do not like is to seize them or stop them from loading. So we think that is what we need to do.”
Drop in fuel prices
The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) announced that fuel prices in Ghana began dropping on May 16.
The Head of Research at COPEC, Paul Eric Ofori, disclosed in a Channel One TV interview that diesel prices fell by 8.3% to 8.5%. He added that this was one of the largest single price reductions in recent months.
Fares reduced effective May 24
The GPRTU announced a downward adjustment of fares from Saturday, May 24, 2025, following negotiations between transport operators and the government.
The downward fare adjustment follows the sustained appreciation of the cedi against the US dollar and declining fuel prices.
The Industrial Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, Abass Imoro, called the price reduction timely.
Drivers reject GPRTU's transport fare reduction directive
Even though the authorities expect their members to adhere to the price adjustment, commercial bus drivers in Ghana have rejected the GPRTU’s directive.
The drivers cited unchanged high sales targets from car owners and rising spare parts costs as reasons for non-compliance.
Reaction to transport fare reduction
Mixed reactions have greeted the announcement by the GPRTU regarding the 15% fare reduction directive. Whereas Ghanaians are excited and have commended the GPRTU for the intervention, drivers have meanwhile shared their frustration over the directive.
Suro Nipa commented:
"One of the reasons why I sold family land to buy my own bicycle: menpɛ nsɛm hunu biara."
Atieku Simon Ray stated
"These drivers are acting like Arsenal fans, while the mates are showing some Man U fan vibes. And it looks like the groups, which we call unions, are also channelling their inner Chelsea fans. I can’t say I’m too surprised by that!."
Christiana Enyonam Attipoe opined:
"It's because of the fair the traders pay for transporting the goods...the circle of reduction will have to start with the drivers...u see this is the reason why we fear when things go up in this country because it will never come down. king Pharaoh thank you the marathon u took us on, we are yet to make a reverse."
Bless Tademe opined:
"They are using spare parts as an excuse. Is it every day they buy spare parts? Some, too, are saying the chairman hasn’t brought the price list yet because his wife was born in a village and he has to travel. Ghana, hmm."
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Joe Sef reacted:
"Do you insist on paying the old fuel price when you visit the pump? No! The government is asking you to adjust the transport fare based on the reduced price windows at the pump what’s difficult about this my guy?"
Nigerian traders at Abossey Okai adjust prices
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported earlier that Nigerian traders at the Abossey Okai spare parts market had adjusted their prices downward due to the cedi’s sharp appreciation against the US dollar.
Their move is in contrast with their Ghanaian counterparts, who argue that they must finish selling their old stock before any price adjustment.
The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association spokesperson, Takyi Addo, called on his members to reduce their prices and warned that they may lose their customers to the Nigerians if they don't act accordingly.
Source: YEN.com.gh
