Commercial transport operators in Ghana are threatening a nationwide strike starting June 10, 2025, to protest the GH¢1 levy on petroleum products, saying it could cripple livelihoods and inflate fares for millions of commuters.
Addressing the press, Abass Ibrahim Imoro, the Industrial Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, condemned the levy as a unilateral decision taken without adequate consultation and warned it would impose “untoward hardship” on the transport sector.
“This GH¢1 increment per litre, which translates to a direct 6.7% surge in our primary operational cost (assuming an average fuel price of GH¢15/litre), comes on the heels of already escalating expenses,” Imoro stated.
According to him, transport operators in Ghana have faced a 15-20% increase in spare parts, maintenance, and insurance costs over the past year, and that the new levy could lead to a 10-15% fare hike, which over 60% of urban Ghanaians cannot bear. The GPRTU and allied transport associations are demanding an immediate reversal and comprehensive government engagement.
“In the event that our call is not heeded, we will be compelled to take industrial action and park our vehicles on June 10, 2025. We urge the government to consider the impact of the levy on the transport sector and the catastrophic consequences of our action on the economy, and engage us in meaningful deliberations to help address challenges in the energy sector,” he added.
The controversial bill, intended to raise additional revenue to address the nation’s crippling energy sector debt and ensure stable power supply, was passed on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, said the bill aims to clear a minimum of US$3.7 billion in debt.
The bill also requires an additional US$1.2 billion for thermal power generation. The Minister assured Parliament that the new levy would be absorbed by the strong performance of the Ghana Cedi.
This move comes shortly after fuel prices were reduced amidst the cedi’s appreciation. Meanwhile, many Ghanaians, especially commercial drivers and car owners, have reacted to this new development, with certain groups threatening a strike, and others, a demonstration.
