Drivers announce 20% fare increase amid rising fuel costs

Commuters across Ghana will from Friday, September 26, 2025, pay more for transportation as the Alliance of Drivers Ghana has announced a 20% increase in lorry fares.

The group says the decision is unavoidable due to the sharp rise in fuel prices and escalating vehicle maintenance costs.

The Alliance explained that the current fuel price hikes have made operations unsustainable.

According to them, the price of petrol and diesel has jumped from GH₵11.23 per litre to GH₵14.63 pesewas per litre, a surge that has eroded drivers’ earnings.

They argue that the increased cost of spare parts, lubricants, and engine oil has further worsened the financial burden on commercial drivers.

Speaking in a press release issued on Tuesday, September 24, the leadership of the Alliance lamented that many drivers are returning home with little or no income despite working long hours. As self-employed individuals, they stressed, they do not enjoy any government support or salary cushion to offset the current economic pressures.

“We call on all transport operators to think about drivers and to support the immediate increment of lorry fares, rather than prioritizing government interests,” the statement read, while appealing to passengers for understanding in these challenging times.

The fare increment is expected to hit commuters nationwide, further straining household budgets at a time when inflation and the cost of living remain high.

Transport users, particularly workers and students who rely on daily commuting, will bear the brunt of the increase.

The Alliance of Drivers Ghana is one of several transport unions that have in the past engaged in fare adjustments in response to fuel price hikes.

Previous negotiations between government, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), and other driver associations often led to staggered or moderated fare increases. However, this latest directive comes without indication of government intervention, raising concerns of possible confrontations between passengers and drivers when the new fares take effect.

The press release was signed by key executives of the Alliance, including National PRO Kwaku Boateng, Deputy PRO William Opoku Asare, and Central Regional Chairman Akwasi Amoah.