The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has rejected plans by transport operators to increase fares in response to rising fuel prices.
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has indicated that it may increase transport fares in the coming days, citing the recent rise in the cost of fuel.
However, Mr Tameklo believes the proposed fare increase is unjustified, arguing that the government has introduced several measures to cushion consumers and stabilise the economy.
Speaking on the BigIssue segment of TV3’s NewDay programme on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the NPA CEO described the GPRTU’s position as a threat and urged the union to reconsider its decision.
“I have seen threats by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of potential increases in fares. I call them threats because there comes a time where some group of people, with respect, may feel that they can hold the entire country to ransom,” he said.
Mr Tameklo pointed to the government’s decision to maintain a GH¢2 fuel subsidy through September 2026, saying the measure demonstrates its commitment to easing the financial burden on consumers.
He questioned why transport operators did not reduce fares when fuel prices previously recorded significant declines, insisting that the burden of economic adjustments should be shared by all stakeholders.
“If you have a situation where government has demonstrated many times…Government of Ghana could be keeping this GH₵2 on it for developmental projects. But Government of Ghana is making things easier. We expect a certain level of the sharing of burden between us and them,” he stated.
The NPA boss also criticised the GPRTU for refusing to reduce transport fares when fuel prices fell to significantly lower levels.
“There was a time in this country that fuel went as low as 10 cedis per litre. When we asked the GPRTU to reduce the lorry fares, they said no,” he said.
Mr Tameklo further dismissed claims that the high cost of spare parts should justify an increase in transport fares, arguing that the recent appreciation of the cedi has lowered the cost of importing spare parts.
He explained that spare parts dealers previously required substantially more cedis to purchase foreign currency for imports because of the high exchange rate, but the situation has improved following the strengthening of the local currency.
“We didn’t say anything. At that time they were saying [spare] parts but the parts are not produced in Ghana. They are imported. The cedi had effectively appreciated. Who is benefiting?
“In the past, there was a time the cedi traded at GH₵17.20p to the dollar. If you’re at Abossey Okai and you needed to go and bring $10,000 worth of spare parts into this country, you needed GH₵170,000. Today, through prudent management of the Ghana cedi, you need at least GH₵12 cedis even on the black market. For interbanks, it is about 10.97,” he stated.
Mr Tameklo appealed to the leadership of the GPRTU, including its General Secretary, to reconsider the planned fare adjustment.
He warned that allowing such threats to continue could have broader national security implications and urged the transport unions to engage government and other stakeholders to find a mutually acceptable solution.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar