BY Issah Olegor
The Alliance for Drivers Ghana (ADG) has thrown its full support behind the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council’s (GRTCC) decision to implement a 20% increase in lorry fares, effective Friday, August 8, 2025.
The GRTCC announced the fare adjustment earlier this week, attributing it primarily to the introduction of the ₵1 Energy Sector Debt Recovery Levy, popularly referred to as the “Dumso Levy.”
The levy, aimed at addressing Ghana’s lingering energy sector debts, has stirred debate across the country, with transport operators warning of its ripple effect on fuel and maintenance costs.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, the ADG described the fare hike as both “necessary and timely.”
According to the group, the decision aligns with its long-standing calls for transport tariffs that accurately reflect the real cost of operating commercial vehicles in Ghana’s volatile economic environment.
Rising Costs Behind the Push
The ADG emphasized that drivers have been grappling with a surge in operational expenses, including the rising prices of spare parts, insurance premiums from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and lubricants for routine maintenance.
The group argued that without periodic adjustments to fares, many operators would struggle to sustain their businesses.
“This increment will help cushion drivers against the financial strain brought by the new levy and other fixed costs that have remained stubbornly high,” the statement read.
Industry Stability and Livelihood Protection
ADG leaders, National Organiser Global Ishmael and National PRO Kwaku Boateng, expressed confidence that the new fares would stabilize the public transport sector and safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of commercial drivers nationwide.
