The new directive to reduce transport fares across Ghana has sparked tension between some commercial drivers and passengers, as many drivers refuse to implement the changes.
The 15% reduction, introduced by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), was expected to have taken effect following a drop in fuel prices and the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi.
However, over the weekend, several passengers took to social media to share their frustrations. In one viral video filmed on Sunday, May 25, 2025, a female passenger expressed anger after a driver at a station reportedly returned the car to the terminal when passengers insisted on paying the reduced fare.
“Guys I’m in circle station at the moment, the driver brought us back to the station and told us to get off if we won’t pay the old fare,” she said angrily in the video, which has since gained thousands of views.
The resistance is not only happening in Greater Accra. Similar reports have come in from the Ashanti Region, where many drivers have continued to charge the old fares, despite the official directive.
According to Citi News reporters who visited various terminals, only a few drivers have adjusted their prices to reflect the 15% cut. Most others say they will comply starting Monday, May 26.
Some drivers explained their reasons for the delay. Solomon Frimpong, a commercial driver in Kumasi, said, “We are waiting for the new fare list from our leadership. Until we receive it, we will stick to the old fares.”
Others, like John Mensah, who had already reduced fares, voiced concerns. “We’ve started charging less, but it’s affecting us. Spare parts are still expensive, and we don’t get any support,” he complained.
The GPRTU insists the fare reduction is meant to ease the burden on Ghanaians already struggling with rising living costs.
General Secretary Godfred Abulbire confirmed that while some drivers in the Ashanti Region claim they received the directive late, the union has taken steps to ensure full compliance.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Saturday, May 24, Abulbire warned that sanctions would be imposed on transport stations and drivers who fail to obey the new pricing. “The chairman has issued another press release.
By Monday, if branches don’t comply, we will take action,” he said. He explained that one of the most feared punishments among drivers is being banned from loading passengers. “No driver wants to be stopped from working, so we believe this will push them to comply.”
While some passengers hope the fare reductions will be enforced soon, others fear drivers may find new ways to increase costs, such as shortening routes or overloading vehicles.
For now, the streets are filled with complaints, confusion, and a battle between economic relief and survival, a clash that highlights the ongoing struggle between policy and practicality in Ghana’s transport sector.
