The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has rejected a proposed 20% increment in transport fares announced by the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), scheduled to take effect on Friday, August 8, 2025.
In a press release dated August 5, COPEC stated that its checks with major transport unions, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), reveal that no such decision has been officially taken.
“It is also difficult to comprehend what matrices informs any such drastic upward reviews of public transport fares as that affects largely the poor and already suffering masses,” the statement signed by Executive Secretary Duncan Amoah read.
COPEC described the justification for the fare increment linked to the government’s recent imposition of a One Ghana Cedi levy on fuel as insufficient grounds for punishing commuters.
“The above argument though true cannot and should not be the basis for punishing the suffering Ghanaian masses,” COPEC said. “The overall effect of the new One Ghana levy is still not sufficient to wipe out the sustained reductions recorded at the pumps over the past couple of months.”
The group emphasized that current fuel prices remain significantly lower than levels seen in January 2025, when fuel was selling at around GHS 15 per litre.
“On the balance of odds or numbers, the pricing levels as of today is still not anywhere near the January prices from which transport fare discussions could be had,” the statement stressed.
COPEC further noted that earlier reductions in fuel prices prompted some drivers to reduce fares by 15%, while others resisted until local authorities intervened.
According to the consumer, the proposed increment is premature and lacks justification, especially when prices of fuel and spare parts remain stable.
“It is refreshing to note that, the largest transport union has already rejected any such attempts at increasing fares at this time,” the statement pointed out.
