The Chairman of the Concern Drivers Association, Paa Willie, has defended the proposed 30 percent increase in transport fares, insisting that the decision is being driven by rising operational costs rather than a desire to burden commuters.
According to him, drivers and vehicle owners have faced significant increases in the cost of fuel, insurance, roadworthiness certification, engine oil, spare parts and other essential inputs over the past two years, making it increasingly difficult to operate profitably without adjusting fares.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s morning show in Accra on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Paa Willie said the issue should not be viewed simply as a matter of increasing lorry fares.
He explained that fuel prices, which had previously fallen after the government’s intervention, have risen again, with petrol and diesel prices putting additional pressure on commercial transport operators.
He said the price of engine oil, for instance, had increased from about GH¢200 to GH¢330, while spare parts and other vehicle maintenance costs had also gone up.
«“If you are running transport as a business and everything you use to operate the business has increased, but you refuse to increase what you charge, you will eventually collapse the business,” he argued.»
Paa Willie disclosed that the drivers’ unions had discussed a proposed 30 percent fare increase about a month ago, but implementation was suspended following an intervention by President John Dramani Mahama.
He said the unions had hoped that the government’s reduction in the price of fuel would provide enough relief to prevent another fare adjustment.
However, with fuel prices rising again, he said drivers now believe a fare review has become unavoidable.
Drivers Question Different Fare Regimes
The Concern Drivers Association Chairman also questioned why some private transport operators had allegedly increased their fares by about 30 to 35 percent without receiving the same level of attention from government authorities.
He cited the situation involving VIP buses, claiming that their fares had been increased by about 35 percent for nearly two months.
He therefore called on the government to engage all recognised drivers’ unions to establish a uniform and sustainable transport fare structure.
According to him, the current situation risks creating confusion for commuters because different operators are charging different fares for similar journeys.
He stressed that drivers were not happy about increasing fares but had to consider the realities of running their businesses.
Calls for Government Engagement
Paa Willie further criticised the apparent difficulty the drivers’ unions have faced in securing a meeting with the Minister responsible for transport.
He said he personally contacted the General Secretary of the drivers’ union early Wednesday morning, around 5:30 a.m., to find out whether discussions had been held with the minister.
According to him, he was informed that the minister had still not been available for a substantive engagement with the union.
He warned that if government failed to engage the unions, drivers would proceed with their planned fare adjustment.
«“If we don’t get the minister, we have to increase the fares. We are going to meet today, so from today to tomorrow we will communicate the new fares to commuters,” he said.»
Paa Willie appealed to the government to urgently bring together the various transport unions to discuss the matter before the new fares are implemented.
He said the drivers were prepared to listen to government’s concerns and negotiate if an alternative solution could be found.
Proposal to Reduce Daily Sales
The drivers’ association has also proposed that vehicle owners consider reducing the daily sales demanded from drivers as a way of cushioning the impact of rising fuel prices.
Paa Willie explained that if government succeeds in reducing fuel prices, vehicle owners could also reduce the daily amount drivers are required to remit.
Such an arrangement, he argued, could help maintain existing fares while ensuring that drivers and vehicle owners remain in business.
He said drivers had already communicated their concerns to the Energy Minister and the Chief of Staff, stressing that as people who supported the government’s campaign and helped bring it to power, they also had a responsibility to point out policies they believe could negatively affect the government.
Paa Willie therefore urged the government to act quickly and convene a meeting with all transport unions to find a mutually acceptable solution to the fare dispute.
He maintained that the objective of the drivers was not simply to increase fares but to ensure that the transport business remains sustainable while protecting the interests of both operators and commuters.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah — Ahotoronline, Accra.