The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has distanced itself from the sit-down strike threat issued by the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) over rising fuel and vehicle operating costs.
Speaking on Newsfeed on Thursday, September 17, Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, acknowledged the increasing cost of operating vehicles but pushed back against the use of a strike as a tool to resolve the issue.
“We share the same concern. The fuel prices have gone up, the lubricants are up, insurance, DVLA charges, and everything is up. That is why we are proposing this 30% increment.”
According to him, negotiations remain the appropriate way to address the pressures facing commercial transport operators, while expressing hope that the government will respond positively to their proposed 30% fare increase.
“But we are not supporting the issue of a sit-down strike. We think that that is not what is going to help the situation. But negotiation is still ongoing.”
His comments follow a threat by the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) to withdraw its vehicles from the roads indefinitely from September 21, 2026, citing rising vehicle maintenance costs, particularly increases in the prices of spare parts and other operational inputs.
Meanwhile, the GPRTU and the Ministry of Transport have formed a committee to conduct a final assessment of the various cost components before agreeing on a new fare adjustment.
Mr Amoah said the committee is expected to submit its report by the close of Thursday or Friday, after which stakeholders will determine the applicable percentage increase.
The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) has projected increases of about 9.63% for petrol, 6.97% for diesel and 3.22% for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Petrol could subsequently sell at about GH¢17.23 per litre, while diesel could reach GH¢18.35 per litre.
