BY ISSAH OLEGOR
Commercial drivers and transport operators have threatened to withdraw their vehicles from the roads from Monday, September 21, 2026, if the government fails to address a number of concerns affecting their operations.
In a press release dated September 16, the group warned that all commercial vehicles could be parked until further notice, describing the issues confronting drivers as pressing matters requiring immediate government intervention.
The transport operators are calling on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and address what they say are mounting operational costs and challenges facing commercial drivers across the country.
According to the operators, their concerns include increases in Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) charges, penalty fees, fuel prices, spare parts costs and vehicle insurance premiums, as well as what they describe as police harassment on the roads.
They have also raised concerns about the government’s position on transport fares, claiming that while the cost of operating commercial vehicles continues to increase, they are not being allowed to adjust lorry fares accordingly.
The transport operators outlined seven key issues they want the government to address. These include the increase in DVLA charges, which they say has added to the cost of running and maintaining their vehicles.
They are also protesting what they describe as an increase in penalty charges, alongside complaints of alleged harassment by police officers operating on the country’s roads.
The rising cost of fuel remains another major concern for the drivers. Fuel prices have recently increased during the second pricing window of September, with some Oil Marketing Companies raising the pump prices of both petrol and diesel.
The operators argue that these increases are putting additional pressure on their daily earnings while transport fares remain unchanged.
They are also demanding action on the prices of spare parts, which they say have increased the cost of maintaining their vehicles.
The seventh concern relates to car insurance premiums, with the transport operators calling for the government to address what they consider to be another growing financial burden on vehicle owners and commercial drivers.
A central part of the dispute is the operators’ complaint that they are unable to increase transport fares despite rising operational expenses.
The drivers argue that fuel, vehicle maintenance, licensing, insurance and other costs have all increased, while the fares they charge passengers have not risen correspondingly.
Their position comes at a time when the possibility of an increase in transport fares is already generating debate among drivers, transport operators and commuters.
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union has previously indicated that transport fares could increase by between 25% and 30% if fuel prices continue to rise.
