The Minister of Transport, Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, has addressed recent concerns from Ghana’s drivers’ union regarding a potential increase in transport fares due to rising operational costs.
Hon. Asiamah was firm in his response, emphasizing that there is currently no justification for any fare hikes in the coming days citing Ghana’s competitive fuel prices as a key reason.
His statement aimed to reassure commuters and dissuade transport operators from pursuing an unjustified fare increase.
Hon. Asiamah argued that fare increases are typically triggered by specific economic factors—none of which are currently in effect.
According to Hon. Asiamah, any talk of raising fares is premature, as fuel prices in Ghana remain stable and comparatively low by global standards.
Ghana’s Competitive Fuel Prices
One of the key points in Hon. Asiamah’s address was Ghana’s current position in terms of fuel affordability on both a regional and global scale.
“As of this morning, Ghana is one of [nine] countries that have prices of petrol below $1. And in West Africa, we have only 3 countries out of the 15 countries needless to say Nigeria will be there, Liberia, and the next country is Ghana. So, the prices that we have in Ghana are one of the lowest anywhere in the world. We have [rival] Countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Angola Sudan, all of these countries are major oil-producing countries so there cannot be any basis for any increase”
Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah Minister of Transport
By drawing comparisons with oil-producing nations, Hon. Asiamah emphasized Ghana’s commitment to fuel prices for its citizens despite being a non-oil-producing nation.
Call for Reduction in Transport Fares
Hon. Asiamah went further to argue that, the public should disregard such information. He emphasized; “As a matter of fact, there should even be a reduction in [transport fares].”
This statement reflects the government’s position on fare adjustments and indicates that any fare hikes would go against national policy and the economic context.
” We’ve heard some noise coming from the Drivers Union about the [threat] to increase in lorry fares, I want to say here unequivocally that there can’t be any basis for such [an] increase in [transport fares] between now and the next six months… As a matter of fact, there should be even reduction in lorry fares. So, let this message go out to the Drivers Union that [is] threatening any increase in lorry fares “
Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah Minister of Transport
Hon. Asiamah urged transport unions to avoid considering a fare hike, instead advising them to wait until tangible economic factors justify such an action.
Vice President’s Commitment to Lowering Transport Costs
“His Excellency, the Vice President has said that [transport fares] would definitely go down if we are able to bring down the price of petroleum products below $1. And currently, we are at 0.953 dollars.”
Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah Minister of Transport
This commitment highlighted the government’s broader objective to ease the financial burden on citizens by maintaining low fuel prices.
Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah’s statement served as a clear message to the transport unions, as he asserted; There is no basis for an increase in fares at this time.”
With competitive fuel prices and government support, any fare increase would be unwarranted. Instead, the Minister suggested that conditions could support a reduction, aligning with the Vice President’s vision of a more affordable transport system in Ghana.
Meanwhile, the Concerned Drivers Association’s decision to implement a 15% fare increase on November 1 is intended to offset the rising costs faced by drivers and transport operators across Ghana.
Although this decision is made without consultation with the Transport Ministry and diverges from the GPRTU’s recommended approach, however, Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Drivers Association, Mr. David Agboado believes the increase is both necessary and fair under the circumstances.
The association’s move signals a broader trend of rising costs across multiple sectors in Ghana, likely to affect consumers and businesses alike as economic pressures continue to mount.
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