The Ghana Police Service and other security agencies have been instructed by the Ministry of Transport to keep an eye out for any commercial driver who has started charging transport fares in addition to the current one in order to burden commuters unfairly.

Following the recent increase in fuel prices and other related operating costs, the Ministry said in a statement signed by its Public Relations Unit and made public in Accra on Sunday, April 14, 2024, that negotiations for new public transport fares are still ongoing with the Road Transport Operators.

As a result, it requests that commercial drivers maintain the current public transportation fares, as instructed by the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC.

It further stated that anyone who disobeys this order will be subject to the full force of the law.

“The Ministry is urging the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to be on the lookout for any driver who goes contrary to the directive issued by the GPRTU and the GRTCC”, the statement in part read.

In a joint statement released in Accra on Thursday, April 11, 2024, the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC urged commuters not to pay any additional transport fares on top of the current fares.

They stated that they were still in negotiations with the Ministry of Transport regarding new fees and characterized the purported fare hike by certain commercial transport drivers as unlawful.

“We are currently engaging stakeholders to consider the various cost components and agree on the way forward. As has been the practice, the leadership met with the Ministry of Transport on Wednesday 10th April, 2024, to present our demands. Once consensus is reached, the general public will be duly informed”, the statement in part read.

The Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (C-DAG) and the Transport Operators of Ghana jointly announced a 15% increase in transportation fares effective Saturday, April 13, 2024 on Monday, April 8, 2024.

They supported their decision with the cost of car replacement parts and lubricants, the recent increase in fuel prices, and the government’s apparent indifference to any drop in the price of gasoline.