Current transport fares to be maintained following GHC2 diesel relief - GPRTU

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has confirmed that transport operators will maintain current fares after suspending their planned increase, following government's intervention to reduce the diesel prices by GHC2.

The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, commended President John Dramani Mahama for the temporary fuel price relief, describing it as a timely intervention.

According to him, the reduction in fuel prices has effectively returned prices to the level that existed before transport unions proposed an upward adjustment in fares.

"We have well received it and we are commending the President for that. With this intervention, the fuel price has just got back to where it was when we were proposing this increment," he said.

Mr. Amoah explained that the union has communicated the development to its members, who have agreed to put the proposed fare increase on hold while monitoring developments in the next fuel pricing window.

He, however, cautioned that transport fares could be reviewed if fuel prices begin to rise again.

"What we have decided on now is to maintain the fares because of this reduction, but going forward, if it happens that it increases again, then we will have to come back to the table to determine our next line of action," he stated.

He disclosed that the decision followed a series of engagements involving transport unions, the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), and the Ministry of Transport.

According to him, government appealed to the unions to support the President's one-month fuel price intervention despite the prevailing economic challenges, leading to a consensus to suspend the proposed fare hike until the next pricing window.

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo on Monday, August 3 announced that President John Dramani Mahama has directed the authority to begin the process to absorb GHc 2 on every litre of diesel.

He says this takes effect immediately from Tuesday, August 4.

"President John Dramani Mahama has directed that the NPA takes steps to absorb Ghc 2 on every litre of diesel to cushion the impact of recent fuel price increases.

"Further demonstration of the President’s care for the ordinary citizen," he wrote on Facebook.