Transport Minister summons GPRTU over alleged artificial transport shortages in Accra

The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has summoned leaders of the Ghana Private Roads and Transport Union (GPRTU) and other commercial transport operators over allegations of deliberate actions to create artificial shortages in public transport.

The move follows concerns that some operators are engaging in rent-seeking practices by limiting the availability of vehicles in order to inflate fares, despite recent reductions in fuel prices and import duties on spare parts.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the minister has requested an urgent meeting with transport unions to address the situation and ease the hardship faced by commuters.

“The Transport Minister has informed me that he has called for a meeting with the GPRTU and other transport operators to deal with this rent-seeking behaviour and to call those involved to order so that the burden on commuters can be reduced,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu stated.

He explained that some drivers deliberately avoid designated loading points, choosing instead to roam in busy areas in the hope that the resulting shortage will force commuters to pay higher fares.

“They are deliberately creating scarcity to push up prices and engage in rent-seeking. This is unlawful and must be addressed,” he stressed.

According to Mr Kwakye Ofosu, such practices are especially common in urban centres during peak hours, where demand is high and commuters are more vulnerable.

In recent weeks, transport conditions in Accra have deteriorated, with long queues and increased fares reported during morning and evening rush hours. The problem, which worsened during the 2025 yuletide, continues to affect commuters in areas including Madina, Amasaman and Kasoa, despite assurances from the Transport Ministry that steps are being taken to resolve the challenges.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged that commuting within the capital has become increasingly difficult but assured the public that government is determined to deal with operators who flout the rules.

He noted that while the transport sector is largely driven by private operators organised under unions such as the GPRTU, government will not hesitate to act against unlawful conduct.

Following successive reductions in fuel prices—which resulted in a 15 per cent cut in transport fares—some operators, he said, have responded by deliberately restricting supply to protect their profits.

“There are cases where drivers refuse to operate from their designated terminals, including places like Kwame Nkrumah Circle, choosing instead to look for desperate commuters willing to pay more,” he said.

Describing the behaviour as illegal, Mr Kwakye Ofosu reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring that those found engaging in such practices are sanctioned, as efforts continue to restore order and affordability in the transport sector.