News · Michael Teye Amartey

GPRTU distances itself from Protoa’s planned strike.

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union, GPRTU has distanced itself from the sit-down strike threat issued by the Progressive Transport Owners Association, PROTOA over rising fuel and vehicle operating costs.

Speaking to the media yesterday in Accra, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, acknowledged the increasing cost of operating vehicles but pushed back against the use of a strike as a tool to resolve the issue.

He said fuel prices have now gone up, including lubricants, insurance and DVLA charges, amongst others. That is why they are proposing 30 percent increment. 

According to him, negotiations remain the appropriate way to address the pressures facing commercial transport operators, while expressing hope that government will respond positively to their proposed 30 percent fare increase.

. He said they are not supporting the issue of a sit-down strike and think that is not what is going to help the situation and that negotiation is still ongoing. 

His comments follow a threat by PROTOA to withdraw its vehicles from the roads indefinitely from September 21, 2026, citing rising   vehicle maintenance costs, particularly increases in the prices of spare parts and other operational inputs.

Meanwhile, the GPRTU and the Ministry of Transport have formed a committee to conduct a final assessment of the various cost components before agreeing on a new fare adjustment. 

Mr. Amoah said the committee is expected to submit its report by the close of yesterday or today, after which stakeholders will determine the applicable percentage increase. 

The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies, COMAC, has projected increases of about nine-point 63 percent for petrol, six-point 97 percent for diesel and three-point 22 percent for Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG.

Petrol can subsequently sell at about 17 point 23 Ghana cedis per litre, while diesel can reach18 point 35 Ghana cedis per litre.