Ghanaians relying on ride-hailing platforms such as Uber, Bolt, and Yango will not see fare reductions in the wake of the cedi’s appreciation and a drop in fuel prices, according to the Ghana Online Drivers Union.
This announcement follows the Ghana Private Road Transport Union’s (GPRTU) directive to reduce public transport fares by 15%, a move that has sparked questions about pricing fairness across the broader transportation ecosystem.
In an interview with the media, Francis Tengey, President of the Ghana Online Drivers Union, made it clear that ride-hailing drivers were not part of the GPRTU’s negotiations and, therefore, not bound by the fare reduction directive.
“What the GPRTU did does not include us, because we have not been consulted. We are not part of them. We are the users of Uber, Bolt, and Yango. We have a union, but our union is not recognized by the GPRTU or the Trade Union,” Tengey stated.
He further emphasized the disconnect between traditional transport unions and the ride-hailing sector. “Although we have applied since 2021 to be affiliated with TUC, we have not yet gotten that accreditation. So GPRTU giving this directive does not include us. Uber does not know GPRTU, Bolt and Yango do not know GPRTU.”
The union is calling for formal recognition to enable them to engage effectively with ride-hailing platforms on behalf of their members and customers, especially on matters affecting fares.
“As unions and representatives of the drivers, we were not part of the meeting that GPRTU and the Ministry of Transport held. We were not represented. So our customers cannot enjoy the 15% reduction on prices,” Tengey added.
Tengey also issued a broader appeal to government stakeholders. “We are pleading with the government, through the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Youth and Employment. These two sectors should come together to regulate the sector and recognise the union. When they recognise the union, a letter like this will be coming from us.”
Meanwhile, consumer advocacy group CUTS International is urging the government to take a stronger stance to ensure that fuel price reductions are passed on to commuters.
The group is pushing for decentralised enforcement through local assemblies, advocating for the power to deregister or sanction commercial drivers who refuse to implement the fare reduction.
According to CUTS International, transport operators must not be allowed to “short-change commuters amid improving economic conditions.”
Next Moves for Regulators?
Industry watchers suggest that the Ministry of Transport now faces increasing pressure to define a clear regulatory path for the ride-hailing sector, one that addresses pricing mechanisms, union recognition, and broader integration into Ghana’s transport governance structure.
