The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has suspended its planned nationwide strike following fresh engagements with the Ministry of Transport.
The union had earlier threatened industrial action over the introduction of a new GH¢1 fuel levy, but has now deferred its final decision pending further developments.
GPRTU’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Moru Abass, confirmed that the strike has been put on hold after government agreed to delay the implementation of the levy until June 16, 2025.
“We have called off the intended sit-down strike action. We’ve been engaged by the Transport Ministry and will communicate our final decision on June 16,” Mr. Abass said.
The fuel levy, which forms part of the recently passed Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, imposes a GH¢1 tax on every litre of fuel sold.
The GPRTU had strongly opposed the levy, warning that it would increase operational costs for transport operators and burden commuters.
The union initially gave the government until June 10 to withdraw the policy, threatening to strike if their concerns were not addressed.
With the government now agreeing to delay implementation and re-engage stakeholders, the GPRTU says it will observe developments and reassess its position.
“We are monitoring the situation closely,” said Mr. Abass. “June 16 will be the day we announce our next line of action.”
However, President John Dramani Mahama signed the bill into law on June 5, stating that the funds would be used to address the country’s energy crisis and clear mounting debts in the power sector.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Jubilee House, President Mahama said, “today, we are signing the Energy Sector Levy Act, all this with the view to eliminating the energy sector debts and resolving the ongoing crisis. It’s painful but necessary. I was not appointed to make only easy decisions.”
He assured the public that the funds generated, estimated at GH¢5.7 billion annually would be ring-fenced for the energy sector, not diverted as in past instances under previous levies.
“It won’t be like ESLA, which was collateralised and misused. This is different. The funds will not enter the Consolidated Fund and will be subject to public audits,” he said.
