The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) announced it will implement a 15% reduction in transport fares nationwide beginning Saturday, May 25, in response to falling fuel prices.
The decision follows negotiations between the Union’s National Executive and the Ministry of Transport. Alhaji Abbas Ibrahim Moro, Public Relations Officer for the GPRTU, said the directive is binding for all members.
“We concluded talks with the Transport Ministry today, and after a marathon meeting, we agreed to a 15% reduction in fares starting this Saturday,” Mr. Moro told Ghana Tonight in an interview set to air later this week.
The fare cut comes amid mounting public pressure for relief in transportation costs following an estimated 18% drop in fuel prices at the pump.
“Our tradition is to divide the percentage drop in fuel by three and adjust fares accordingly,” Mr. Moro said. “However, this time we went beyond that formula and settled on a 15% reduction. We hope other sectors, particularly spare parts dealers, will follow suit.”
The Union acknowledged that while fuel prices have eased, other cost components—such as lubricants, vehicle permits, taxes, and regulatory fees—remain unchanged. Still, the GPRTU characterized the move as a contribution to the broader effort to stabilize Ghana’s economy.
“We are not waiting for every factor in our cost structure to decline,” Mr. Moro noted. “This reduction is part of our commitment to national recovery.”
To enforce compliance, the Union has warned that drivers who ignore the directive risk disciplinary action. Mr. Moro urged passengers to report violators to law enforcement, emphasizing the need for public cooperation without resorting to violence.
“Any driver who refuses to comply should be reported to the nearest police station,” he said. “This is not about conflict—it’s about accountability.”
The GPRTU says it plans to actively monitor the rollout of the new fares and will take internal action against members who flout the new directive.
“We intend to identify and remove non-compliant operators from our ranks,” Mr. Moro said. “We are determined to clean up the system.”
The fare reduction marks one of the most significant fare cuts in recent years and signals a shift in how transport operators are responding to macroeconomic shifts, especially in fuel pricing.
Source:TheDotNews