By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu, GNA
Keta (V/R), Sept. 5, GNA – The Chamber for Price Control Ghana (CPCG) has appealed to the Ministry of Transport, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) to ensure that any review of public transport fares is fair, evidence-based and affordable for citizens.Â
The Chamber urged the parties to consider the economic difficulties facing Ghanaians and cautioned that any fare adjustment must not overburden or create hardship for the public.
Mr Seth Kwashie Azaglo-Tay, Executive President of CPCG, said the association had taken note of the formal request submitted by the GPRTU and GRTCC to the Ministry of Transport and was compelled to intervene in line with its mandate to protect consumers and promote fair pricing.
“We have noted that the transport unions, in a joint statement issued earlier this week and explain that the request is made under the Administrative Instrument governing the determination and review of public transport fares as part of an established consultative framework,” he said.
He further appealed to drivers, station masters, transport owners and the public to remain calm as engagements with the Ministry of Transport were expected to begin soon.
The request follows a marginal increase in petroleum prices that took effect on September 1, with petrol rising to approximately GHS 16.21 per litre and diesel to about GHS 17.61 per litre which add further pressure on the cost of running commercial vehicles.
Senior GPRTU officials have earlier indicated that the union was considering a fare increase of around 30 per cent, which they cited rising costs of fuel, spare parts, lubricants, insurance and taxes, after an earlier August proposal was suspended following a government appeal.
The CPCG has stressed that they have recognised the legitimate concerns of transport operators and stated that any resulting fare adjustment must be grounded in verifiable data and negotiated transparently rather than imposed arbitrarily on struggling commuters.
The Chamber called for strict monitoring and enforcement to prevent overcharging and insisted that approved fares should clearly display at stations and in vehicles and demanded a simple mechanism for passengers to report violations with consistent sanctions applied against offenders.
The CPCG said it would continue to monitor developments closely and reiterated its commitment to advocating for fair prices, consumer protection and accountability throughout the proces as discussions between the transport unions and the Ministry are expected to commence in the coming days.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah /Kenneth Odeng Adade