The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has criticized the Ministry of Transport for its recent directive to the Ghana Police Service regarding the implementation of new transport fares.
The Ministry instructed the police to crack down on commercial drivers who are charging fares that exceed the approved rates.
Executive Secretary of COPEC, Duncan Amoah, has raised concerns about the Ministry’s actions, stating that they cannot force the transport unions to comply with the directive without addressing the root causes of the alleged fare hikes. In a deregulated market where transport fares are determined by costs passed on to consumers, Amoah argues that the Ministry lacks the legal authority to regulate fares.
Amoah emphasized that factors such as the rising cost of insurance, fuel, fluctuating exchange rates, and increasing taxes all contribute to the constant increase in transport fares. He questioned the Transport Ministry’s involvement in setting fares and called for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges faced by drivers.
While Amoah does not condone drivers charging exorbitant fares, he believes that if there is a legitimate need to adjust fares to cover operational costs, it should be allowed. He cautioned against the Ministry overstepping its boundaries and unlawfully targeting drivers for simply trying to make ends meet.
Overall, COPEC is urging the Transport Ministry to reconsider its directive and work towards finding long-term solutions to the underlying issues affecting transport fares in Ghana.
