COPEC rejects 20% fare hike
The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has rejected reports of an impending 20 percent increase in public transport fares scheduled to take effect on Friday, August 8, 2025, describing the move as unjustified and premature.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 5, and signed by its Executive Secretary, Duncan Amoah, COPEC disclosed that its consultations with major transport unions, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), indicate no official consensus has been reached regarding the fare adjustment proposed by the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC).
COPEC questioned the rationale behind the proposed hike, especially at a time when economic conditions remain challenging for ordinary Ghanaians.
“Fuel prices have generally trended downward in recent months. Although the government has introduced a GHS1 per liter fuel levy, it is misleading to use that alone as justification for a fare increment,” the Chamber stated.
It explained that fuel prices, which hovered around GHS15 per liter in January 2025, have since dropped to GHS11 to GHS12 per liter in recent weeks.
This decline, COPEC noted, earlier led to a 15 percent fare reduction by some driver groups in May, although other unions failed to comply with the directive.
“For the avoidance of doubt, fuel prices that used to sell for around GHS15 per liter in January, when they dropped to GHS11 to GHS12 per liter, led to a few unions reducing fares voluntarily, while others had to be compelled by local assemblies to follow suit,” the Chamber indicated.
According to COPEC, current pricing levels remain well below January’s peak and do not justify any immediate increase.
The Chamber expressed surprise at efforts by a section of the transport industry to push for fare adjustments under prevailing conditions.
It also criticized attempts to include the proposed reintroduction of road tolls as a basis for fare hikes.
“Tolls have not yet been implemented and should not be used speculatively in fare pricing,” the Chamber emphasized.
COPEC welcomed the position of the largest transport union, which has already rejected the fare hike proposal, citing stable fuel prices and marginal changes in spare parts costs.
The Chamber urged broader stakeholder engagement before any final decisions are made.
“We caution transport operators and regulatory agencies to consult extensively and avoid measures that would further burden commuters already grappling with rising costs of living,” it added.
