Accra: The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has appealed to the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to reconsider its proposed 30% increase in transport fares, cautioning that the move could worsen the financial pressure on passengers. COPEC Executive Secretary Duncan Amoah acknowledged that transport operators have reasons to demand higher fares due to increased fuel prices and rising operational expenses. However, he argued that the proposed adjustment is too steep and should be revised.
According to Ghana Web, the global oil market pressures could push fuel prices higher, which might justify a review of fares. Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News, Duncan Amoah explained that before the current administration came into office, petrol and diesel prices averaged about GHS14.49 per litre, with petrol now selling around the same range. He also recalled an earlier reduction in transport fares when COPEC appealed to commercial drivers in August 2025 to reduce fares after fuel prices dropped, resulting in a 15% cut by many operators.
Amoah suggested that although some increase in fares might be necessary due to rising fuel costs, a 30% adjustment is excessive for commuters to handle. He proposed a more moderate fare increase within the range of 15% to 20%, conditional on the government's potential measures to ease costs in the transport sector.
Meanwhile, the GPRTU has clarified that the 30% figure is only a starting point for negotiations. The union cites higher fuel prices, expensive spare parts, insurance costs, and other operational challenges as reasons for its request for a fare adjustment.