Transport operators in Ghana are running out of patience, and options. Samuel Amoah, Deputy Industrial and Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), has issued a stern warning to authorities: act now or face the consequences of higher transport fares.
Speaking to the media, Amoah acknowledged the government’s position that current economic pressures are beyond its immediate control, but made clear that transport operators cannot afford to absorb the rising costs indefinitely. “What the government and the president is saying is, it is something they can’t control right now, but the transport operators may be forced to,” he stated.
The union has already moved beyond words. Amoah revealed that GPRTU issued a formal release giving the government a two-day window to respond with concrete action. “We came up with this release and gave the government two days to do something about it. If they fail to do [that]…then we have no option but to organise ourselves to request an increment of transport fares for our members,” he warned.
The ultimatum comes against the backdrop of a sharp jump in fuel prices following new pricing guidelines issued by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
For the April 1 to April 15 pricing window, the NPA has set minimum ex-pump prices at GHS 13.30 per litre for petrol and GHS 17.10 per litre for diesel. The figures represent a steep climb from the previous pricing window, which ended March 31, when petrol was pegged at GHS 11.57 per litre and diesel at GHS 14.35 per litre, increases of roughly 14.9% and 19.2%, respectively, within a single pricing cycle.
The fuel price surge has been largely attributed to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which continue to rattle global oil markets and push crude prices higher. For transport operators already navigating tight margins, the latest price adjustments have pushed the sector to a breaking point.
With the government yet to respond to the union’s demands, the clock is ticking. If no relief measures are forthcoming, Ghanaian commuters may soon find themselves digging deeper into their pockets at the bus stop.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com