The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has advised the public to prepare for higher transport fares starting this week, citing the need to cushion drivers against the sharp rise in fuel prices.
Although the union previously planned to introduce a 30 percent fare hike, it suspended the decision following a meeting with government officials, who appealed for patience until the next pricing window.
However, with fuel prices continuing to climb—diesel nearing GH¢18 per litre and petrol approaching GH¢16 per litre at select outlets—the union maintains that an adjustment is unavoidable.
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Samuel Amoah, the Deputy Public Relations Officer for the GPRTU, confirmed that the union will propose a 30 percent increment during its upcoming meeting with government representatives.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he stated, “We had expected a reduction in fuel prices just as the government promised, but unfortunately, there has been a significant increment, and that will certainly leave us with no option other than to increase fares. We are meeting to decide on the exact percentage increment. We will meet with authorities on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, and so Ghanaians should expect an increment by Thursday, August 6, 2026.”
The announcement comes despite President John Dramani Mahama directing an immediate, temporary GHS 2.00 per litre reduction on the regulatory margin for diesel. Effective Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the one-month measure was authorized by Cabinet to ease rising transport costs and relieve economic pressure on citizens, according to an official statement released by the Presidency Communications on Monday, August 3, 2026.
Despite this intervention, Mr. Amoah stressed that the reduction falls short of addressing the operational burdens faced by drivers.
“We recognize the 2 cedi reduction announced by the government; however, it is insignificant to cushion us. It cannot stop us from our planned increment in fares. As we speak, the cost of diesel is heading towards GH¢20 per litre, while petrol is also increasing slightly towards GH¢18 per litre. We appreciate the GH¢2 reduction, but it is not enough to cushion us,” he emphasised.
