Passengers in Accra and other parts of the Greater Accra Region are facing a new financial burden as commercial drivers and their conductors—locally known as ‘mates’—have begun implementing arbitrary and exorbitant fare increases.
The hikes, which have not been officially sanctioned by the Ministry of Transport nor the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), are being justified by operators as a desperate response to the worsening traffic congestion in the capital.
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Despite a significant drop in fuel prices and strengthening of the Cedi, commuters seem not to benefit from the gains.
The “Order from Above”
On the ground at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, the atmosphere is one of frustration and resignation.
One ‘mate’ on the Dome-bound route explained to JoyNews on Thursday, January 15, that the decision to hike prices was passed down directly from vehicle owners and station masters.
“It’s an order from above. Yeah, so whatever the master will say is what we also abide by,” the conductor told reporters.
The primary culprit, according to the operators, is the staggering amount of time lost in transit.
The stretch between the Interchange and Dome, which should ideally take 30 minutes, has become a multi-hour ordeal.
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“Of late, the traffic has been worrying. We could be in the traffic for almost two, three hours. So if we do not increase the price, it goes against us. That is the reason why we are doing that [increasing fares], absolutely nothing else more.”
The situation is not any better at other locations such as Mallam, Kasoa, the central business district in the capital, Madina, Lapaz and Ablekuma.
Government and GPRTU at Loggerheads
The government has been quick to condemn the unauthorised increases.
The Minister of State in charge of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has urged the public to resist paying any fare that has not been officially gazetted.
He maintained that while the government acknowledges the challenges, unilateral hikes undermine the social contract and economic stability.
However, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has signalled that its members are at a breaking point.
While the union has officially called for calm, local branches have expressed that the delay in reviewing the standard fare structure—amidst rising operational costs—is forcing drivers to take matters into their own hands to avoid total business collapse.
The Abossey Okai Contradiction
The drivers’ claims of unbearable operational costs have been partially challenged by the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association.
The only outlier in this stability is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicle.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Otchere explained that components for private vehicles, including Toyota Vitz cars commonly used by ride-hailing services, have seen significant price reductions.
“If you come to the Toyota Vitz with Uber and everything, prices have dropped. Batteries and others, too. The dollar is down, so there is no reason why we should be raising our prices,” he said.
According to him, the only notable challenge in the market relates to spare parts for Sprinter buses, which are widely used for public transport, and the individuals who import and sell those vehicles.
“We have a challenge with the Sprinter buses and the people who sell the Sprinters. That’s the only challenge we have. Aside from that, if you go to all the stores around here, prices have dropped,” he noted.
Mr Otchere supported his claims with examples, indicating that engines which previously sold for GH¢15,000 are now going for about GH¢10,000, while engine oil prices have dropped from GH¢600 to GH¢350. He added that batteries, once sold for GH¢1,700, are now priced between GH¢1,000 and GH¢1,002.
He also commended the government for stabilising the currency and creating conditions that have led to reduced prices in the spare parts market.
“Prices have dropped, and we have to give credit to the government. They are doing a very good job,” Mr Otchere stated.
Calls for the Transport Minister’s Dismissal
The chaotic state of the transport sector has led to a fierce backlash from the Concerned Drivers Association.
The Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Drivers Association, David Agboado, has called for the removal of the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, accusing him of poor management of the transport sector in Accra and other major cities.
Speaking to JoyNews, Mr Agboado said the Minister has failed to engage transport unions on the challenges confronting the sector, arguing that the lack of stakeholder consultation makes his continued stay in office untenable.
“The government has to sit up and analyse the situation so that we can solve it amicably. But if I have to speak frankly, the Minister of Transport should not be at post again. The Transport Minister must go,” he stated.
He accused the Minister of non-performance, saying his output pales in comparison to that of other public officials. He cited what he described as improved performance at institutions such as the Gold Board, the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Ghana and the National Petroleum Authority.
“When you go to the Gold Board, the CEO is performing well. In the finance sector, Ato Forson is performing well. At the Bank of Ghana, the Governor is performing well. At the NPA, fuel prices have reduced from about 17 cedis to between 10 and 11 cedis,” he said.
“So what is the Transport Minister doing in his office?” he questioned.
The Commuter’s Burden
For the average worker travelling from Dome to the central business district, the cumulative effect of these hikes is devastating.
With many drivers charging an extra GHS 2.00 to GHS 5.00 above the old rate, daily transport costs have jumped by nearly 30% and up to 50% in some cases.
As the “order from above” continues to hold sway at the bus terminals, all eyes are on the Ministry of Transport to see if it can move beyond rhetoric to provide the enforcement and traffic solutions required to stabilise the sector.
Meanwhile, the GPRTU is seeking assistance from the police and government to curb unapproved fares.
He added that government engagement with transport unions is important to ensure compliance.
“If the Transport Minister calls a meeting on any fares agreement, union drivers can participate and have a say. But drivers outside the union will always find ways to overcharge unless the government intervenes,” he said.
Mr Amoah further urged that drivers operating outside established unions or associations should either join an existing union or legally form an association to be recognised and regulated.
“The solution lies with the government, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDCEs), and the Road Safety Authority to create clear rules that will control drivers in Ghana,” he said.
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