The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has cautioned its members to desist from increasing transport fares, stating that such action will constitute an illegality and that drivers who increase fares would be dealt with.

This follows a directive from another transport union, the National Association of Concerned Drivers asking its members to increase fares, effective February 22. In a statement issued on Feb 15, under the signatories of Chairman William Osei and other executives, the National Association of Concerned Drivers with over 150,000 members announced that there will be 10 percent increment in transport fares by next week due to the increment of some taxes at the DVLA and the ports as well as hikes in fuel prices.

The National Chairman of GPRTU, Nana Nimako Bresiama, however, has pleaded with various driver associations to refrain from increasing the transport fares at least until the government forms its ministers.

Speaking on the issue, GPRTU National Chairman called for ceasefire till the Transport Minister-Designate is confirmed and subsequent consensus is reached by major stakeholders in the industry.

“The government has not even finished forming his cabinet and other ministers, so why the rush?

“I think the various driver associations must exercise restraint until the Road Minister-designate is confirmed then we can have a roundtable discussion on the situation. As it stands, I believe the proposal is premature.”
Nana Nimako Bresiama, GPRTU National Chairman

In another development, the General Secretary of the GPRTU, Godfred Abulbire Adogma, also mentioned that the proposed 10 percent increment in transport fares by the National Association of Concerned Drivers is an unauthorized increment as the association is a groupuscule. He added that GPRTU has about 90% of the private sector transport in Ghana and possesses due process in adjusting transport fares.

“And our procedure usually begins with a scheduled meeting with the Minister of Transport where we go and negotiate accordingly and then when approved, we inform our members. GPRTU is now cautioning our drivers all round that if anybody implements this 10% increase in fares that driver will be sanctioned.”
Godfred Abulbire Adogma, GPRTU General Secretary

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer for True Drivers Union, Yaw Barima believes that government has increased prices of fuel but has always resisted their call to increase fares. The spokesperson for the National Association of Concerned Drivers, David Agboado also explained that his group is not relenting on the decision to increase the fare.

“I wish to announce to cherished clients that there will be 10% increment of passenger fare coming Monday,” he said, adding that “this decision was informed by the increment of some taxes at the DVLA and the ports.”
David Agboado, National Association of Concerned Drivers