Rising transport fares despite fuel reduction: Burden on Ghanaians, economy
In recent months, Ghana, like many oil-importing nations, has benefited from a notable decline in global crude oil prices.
This welcome development—particularly observed during the second pricing window of May 2025—led to a significant drop in local fuel prices.
In response, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), in collaboration with government stakeholders, announced a 15 per cent reduction in commercial transport fares, effective Saturday, May 24, 2025.
The policy was aimed at easing the cost of living and stimulating economic activity by lowering the financial burden on daily commuters.
However, the reality on the ground tells a different story—one that is marked by non-compliance, exploitation, and growing frustration among commuters, particularly traders, public servants and students.
Disconnect policy, practice
Despite the official directive, many commercial drivers, especially those operating during the high-demand periods of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., continue to flout the fare reduction.
In blatant disregard for the new pricing, some drivers are charging as much as GH¢15 to GH¢ 20 for routes that should cost only GH¢10.
For instance, passengers commuting from Accra to Kasoa are often forced to pay double or more of the reduced fare due to limited transport availability and excessive demand during rush hours.
The Akan adage Sɛ wo anforo a, obi bɛforo — loosely translated as “if you don’t board, someone else will” — has become the mantra of these drivers who leverage the desperation of passengers to impose exorbitant and unjustified fares.
‘Short short’ trips: Costly detour
Equally troubling is the practice of “short short” trips, where drivers deliberately break long-distance routes into shorter segments.
A journey from Accra to Kasoa, which should be direct, is now being split into multiple stops—Accra to Kaneshie (GH¢3.50), Kaneshie to Odorkor (GH¢3.50), Odorkor to Barrier or SCC (GH¢5.00), and finally to Kasoa (GH¢4.50), bringing the total cost to GH¢16.50.
At each point, passengers are required to pay separate fares, significantly increasing their total transport cost—often more than double the original rate.
This same practice is also observed on other routes such as Mallam, Manhean, Ablekuma, Tigo Pole, and several other destinations from Accra, further compounding the financial burden on commuters.
This strategy, driven purely by profit motives, results in financial strain on already burdened citizens, prolonged travel times, and unnecessary stress after an already tiring day.
Human, economic impact
The ramifications of this situation are far-reaching. For traders, the increase in transport costs erodes their profits and raises the cost of goods and services.
Public servants, many of whom live on modest salaries, are forced to divert essential portions of their income to transport.
Students, especially those who commute daily to school or university, often arrive late or fatigued, affecting their academic performance and well-being.
On a broader scale, these inflated fares contribute to inflationary pressure, undermining efforts to stabilise the economy.
When transport costs rise, so do the prices of food, clothing and other essentials, deepening the economic hardship for households across the country.
Government must act
While the government’s intention in reducing fares is commendable, enforcement remains the weak link. To address this growing concern, the following recommendations are proposed:
Strengthen monitoring and enforcement: The Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) and transport unions, must intensify monitoring efforts.
Surprise inspections and undercover checks can help identify and penalise defaulting drivers.
Public fare awareness campaigns: Government agencies should launch nationwide campaigns—through radio, social media and community announcements—to educate commuters about the approved fare structures. Knowledge is power; when passengers know their rights, they are better positioned to demand fair treatment.
Empower the commuter: Introduce a fare complaints hotline and mobile app through which passengers can report overcharging and “short short” practices in real time. A responsive system will deter non-compliance and improve accountability.
Introduce transport subsidies during peak hours: The Government could explore subsidising public transportation during peak hours as a temporary measure to relieve pressure on commuters and discourage exploitative practices.
Improve mass transit systems: Investing in more reliable, efficient and accessible public transport systems, such as Metro Mass Transit and Ayaalolo, will offer alternatives to the “trotro” system and reduce reliance on commercial drivers who exploit passengers.
Conclusion
A policy is only as good as its implementation. The current situation, where a well-intentioned fare reduction is being ignored by commercial drivers, undermines public trust and places an unfair burden on Ghanaians.
It is time for collective responsibility—where government, transport unions, and citizens come together to restore fairness and decency in our public transport system.
Only then can the nation truly benefit from the global drop in crude oil prices and foster a more equitable economic environment for all.
The writer is a Senior Audit Officer,
Graphic Communications Group, Ltd.
