The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has arrested six commercial transport operators for allegedly charging passengers fares above the officially approved rates within the Central Business District (CBD).
The suspects, made up of three drivers and three bus conductors, popularly known as “mates”, were arrested on Tuesday evening, August 25, 2026, during an enforcement operation conducted between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The AMA said the operators were allegedly charging passengers travelling on the Awoshie, Kasoa and Madina routes fares higher than the approved rates.
The arrests come after Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey recently warned commercial transport operators against increasing fares without authorisation.
According to the Assembly, the suspects were arrested under clauses 19(f) and 19(d) of the AMA (Operation of Commercial Vehicles) By-laws, 2017.
The by-laws prohibit commercial transport operators from charging passengers fares above rates approved by the Assembly in consultation with major transport unions.
The regulations also bar drivers from forcing passengers to get off a vehicle midway through a journey and re-board in order to charge separate fares for different sections of the trip.
The three drivers arrested are Joseph Bonney, Francis Morgah and Foster Osei.
The three “mates” are Benjamin Ofori Atta, Emmanuel Aduafo and Emmanuel Paa Ekow Amissah.
The AMA said the enforcement exercise is part of measures to ensure that commercial transport operators comply with approved fares and to protect passengers from excessive and arbitrary charges across the metropolis.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar