GPRTU has given government a 48-hour ultimatum to abolish fuel-related taxes or risk a nationwide increase in transport fares amid rising fuel prices.
The union says transport operators are under growing financial strain as the cost of doing business continues to rise.
According to the GPRTU, commercial drivers are grappling not only with surging fuel prices but also expensive spare parts, poor road conditions and rising charges from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority.
Deputy Industrial and Public Relations Officer Samuel Amoah said the current conditions are becoming unsustainable for operators who rely on daily revenue to keep vehicles on the road.
Fare increase looms if no action is taken
Speaking in an interview, Amoah warned that the union would have little choice but to push for higher transport fares if government fails to intervene.
“We came up with this release and gave the government two days to do something about it.” - Samuel Amoah
He added that while government may view the current pressure as externally driven, transport operators are already feeling the direct impact.
“If they fail to do [that]… then we have no option but to organise ourselves to request an increment of transport fares for our members.” - Samuel Amoah
The warning raises the prospect of fresh pressure on commuters and businesses already dealing with broader cost-of-living concerns.
Fuel price surge drives renewed demands
The latest standoff comes after the National Petroleum Authority announced new pricing guidelines for the April 1 to April 15 window, setting minimum ex-pump prices at GH¢13.30 per litre for petrol and GH¢17.10 per litre for diesel.
That represents a steep jump from the previous pricing window, which had petrol at GH¢11.57 and diesel at GH¢14.35 per litre.
The sharp increase has largely been linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which continue to disrupt global oil markets and place import-dependent economies such as Ghana under pressure.
With transport costs often feeding directly into food prices and household spending, any fare increase could quickly ripple through the wider economy.
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