In Accra on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) warned it will take legal action against the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) if a proposed 20% hike in public transport fares takes effect.
The warning follows an announcement from GRTCC that the fare increase will be implemented on Friday, August 8, 2025, citing economic pressures as justification.
COPEC’s Executive Secretary, Duncan Amoah, criticized the planned hike on Citi Eyewitness News, arguing that GRTCC has no fair basis for the decision and is ignoring the public’s economic struggles.
He stressed that if the increment is enforced, COPEC will intervene in court, adding that the move could trigger a chain reaction with other unions demanding similar hikes.
Amoah emphasized that the timing is insensitive, as Ghanaians are currently hoping for a decline in the cost of living, not additional financial burdens.
In defense, GRTCC cited three main reasons for the fare adjustment: persistently high prices of goods, poor road conditions raising vehicle maintenance costs, and the recent GH₵1.00 fuel levy.
GRTCC noted that despite a 15% fare reduction in May, transport operators are now operating under higher costs, with fuel prices increasing by 8% due to the new levy.
COPEC, however, maintains that these justifications are insufficient, especially since the fuel price situation remains more favorable than earlier in the year.
The chamber insists the fare hike lacks transparency and fairness, and could worsen the financial burden on commuters already grappling with inflation and stagnant wages.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on whether GRTCC will proceed — and whether COPEC will follow through on its legal threat to block the fare increase.