The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has waded into the national debate on rising transport costs, issuing a strong rebuttal to recent reports suggesting a 20% increase in public transport fares from Friday, August 8, 2025.
In a press statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Duncan Amoah, COPEC raised the alarm over what it described as a “premature and unjustified” attempt to burden commuters, particularly low-income earners, with higher costs at a time when economic conditions remain fragile.
“Any move to adjust fares upwards at this time would be reckless and insensitive,” the statement stressed, adding that COPEC’s engagements with major transport unions, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), show no formal agreement on a fare increase.
The organisation questioned the basis for such a drastic proposal, especially when fuel prices have seen a marked drop over recent months—from GHC15 per litre in January to current levels averaging between GHC11 and GHC12.
While the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) had earlier attributed the proposed hike to a new GHC1 fuel levy and rising operational costs, COPEC argued that those justifications do not reflect current realities at the pump or within the broader market.
“Fuel prices have come down, and some operators have even reduced fares by 15%. Where is the urgency or fairness in this?” Amoah queried.
Beyond fuel, COPEC also took aim at policy trends, criticising the proposed reintroduction of road tolls as another looming cost burden for drivers and passengers alike. The group warned that imposing new financial obligations on commuters without proper consultation risks sparking unrest and further worsening the cost-of-living crisis.
In a show of solidarity with passengers, the country’s largest transport union is also reported to have distanced itself from the fare adjustment rumours, affirming that conditions do not currently support a price change.
COPEC is calling on transport operators, regulators, and government agencies to act in good faith and prioritise the economic wellbeing of ordinary Ghanaians before making any decisions that could stoke inflation or public anger.
“This is not the time to shift burdens onto the backs of the people,” the chamber concluded.
