GPRTU gives govt 48 Hours to remove fuel taxes or transport fares will rise
1st April 2026
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has given the government a 48-hour ultimatum to abolish fuel-related taxes, warning that failure to act could trigger a nationwide increase in transport fares.
The union says the rising cost of operations is placing severe pressure on commercial drivers, citing high fuel prices, costly spare parts, worsening road conditions, and increased charges by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
According to GPRTU’s Deputy Industrial and Public Relations Officer, Samuel Amoah, while the government may argue that current economic challenges are beyond its immediate control, transport operators are facing difficult choices to remain in business.
He warned that if authorities fail to respond, operators will have no option but to increase fares.
“We gave the government two days to take action. If they fail to do that, we will have no choice but to organise ourselves to request a fare increment for our members. What the government and the president say may be beyond their immediate control, but transport operators may be forced to act,” Amoah said in an interview with Joy News.
The warning follows the release of new pricing guidelines by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), which set minimum ex-pump prices for April 1 to April 15 at GHS 13.30 per litre for petrol and GHS 17.10 per litre for diesel.
This represents a significant rise from the previous pricing window ending March 31, when petrol and diesel were priced at GHS 11.57 and GHS 14.35 per litre, respectively.
The surge in fuel prices has been largely linked to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which continue to impact global oil markets.