By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (VR) Jan. 09, GNA – Some commuters in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region, have passionately appealed to driver unions in the area, to reduce transport fares following the recent drop in fuel prices.
Checks made by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) as at January 8, 2026, indicated that the prices of petrol, diesel, and LPG have decreased at the pumps, with some attributed to the appreciation of the Ghana cedi.
Mr Simon Bedzo, a resident of Atiavi, told the GNA that he believed the decrease in fuel prices should translate into lower transportation costs and expressed frustration that drivers had not yet adjusted fares despite the reduction.
“We are appealing to the driver unions including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to play a critical role in determining fair and reasonable fares. The fares from Atiavi to Keta is currently at GH₵ 100, this is unfair regarding the reduction,” he said.
He questioned the inconsistent application of fare reductions and argued that if fares increased quickly when fuel prices rose, the driver unions should apply the same energy and decrease lorry fares just as swiftly when prices drop.
Madam Gifty Tettey, another commuter at Keta said that many others had been seeking relief from high transportation costs and stated that the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) must urged the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), to actively monitor and ensure fare adjustment enforcement.
“My brother, we are here because of drivers, and they are also here because of us, we are for each other, they need to listen to our plights.
“Yes we understand that there should be balanced consideration of we commuters’ and drivers’ interests in fare adjustments,” she added.
She expressed worry that many drivers refused to comply with the previous fare adjustments made by the GPRTU and other drivers unions in the municipality including the announcement of 15 per cent reduction in transport fares in May, 2025, among others, and called for immediate redress to alleviate the plight of many commuters.
Mr Sampson Atsu, a driver, explained that factors like spare part prices and lubricants, drivers’ license, engine oil, tyres, among others were still high and should be considered, therefore reducing fares would eat into their profits.
He said that the GPRTU leadership was planning to meet and address the issues while the drivers await for directives from their mother union for further move and adjustment.
He said that fares would remain unchanged, citing a formula guiding adjustments.
He emphasised that dialogue with stakeholders was key for the right decision in addressing the situation for all to benefit.
He also urged the government and other relevant authorities to fix the bad road conditions in the various communities in the area, to prevent constant and continued breakdown of vehicles on the roads.
GPRTU had noted that a reduction in transport fares would only be considered when operating conditions clearly improved, despite the growing calls for operators to pass on recent fuel price reduction to commuters.
Current fuel prices in the country indicate that the Petrol is selling between GH₵10.99 – GOIL, GH₵ 10.56 – StarOil, and Diesel – GH₵ 11.96 – GOIL, GH₵ 11.56 – StarOil, which represented a decrease as compared to previous prices.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo