By Amoako Kwame
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has given the government a 48-hour ultimatum to scrap fuel taxes, warning that failure to do so may lead to a nationwide increase in transport fares.
According to the union, commercial drivers are struggling with unsustainable operational costs, including high fuel prices, expensive spare parts, poor road conditions and increased fees from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
Speaking to Joy News, GPRTU Public Relations Officer Samuel Amoah noted that while the government may claim current economic pressures are beyond its control, transport operators are left with little choice but to take tough measures to keep their businesses afloat.
“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 in transport fares for our members.
“What the government and the president are saying is that it is something they cannot control right now, but transport operators may be forced to act,” he said.
This warning follows the National Petroleum Authority’s (NPA) latest pricing directive for April 1 to April 15. Under the new guidelines, minimum pump prices have been set at GH₵13.30 per litre for petrol and GH₵17.10 per litre for diesel.
Compared with the March 31 pricing window, where petrol cost GH₵11.57 and diesel GH₵14.35, drivers are now facing a sharp increase. The rising costs are being driven by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which continue to push up global oil prices.
