The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has firmly rejected reports of a proposed 20% increase in public transport fares set to take effect on Friday, August 8, 2025. In a press statement released on Tuesday, COPEC clarified that it had consulted with major transport unions such as the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), and no official decision had been made to endorse such an increment.
COPEC criticized the fare hike suggestion, initially announced by the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), describing it as unwarranted under the current economic climate. The organisation argued that fare increases would place an undue financial burden on ordinary Ghanaians who are already struggling with inflation and rising living costs.
Executive Secretary Duncan Amoah pointed out that although a GH¢1 per litre fuel levy was recently introduced by the government, this alone does not justify a fare adjustment. He noted that fuel prices have actually decreased in recent months—dropping from GH¢15/litre in January 2025 to between GH¢11 and GH¢12/litre—undermining the rationale for fare increases.
COPEC also rejected the inclusion of anticipated road tolls in current fare calculations, arguing that since the tolls are not yet implemented, their potential impact should not influence pricing decisions. Amoah stressed that fare reviews should be based on current realities, not speculation or unconfirmed policy changes.
The chamber praised the GPRTU for publicly rejecting the fare hike and maintaining fare stability. COPEC called for broader stakeholder engagement and transparency in the decision-making process, urging authorities to avoid policy moves that could worsen the financial strain on the commuting public.
Source: Citi newsroom