Traders are casting doubt on whether the Ghana Private Road Transport Union’s (GPRTU) proposed 15% reduction in transport fares, set to take effect on May 25, 2025, will have any real impact on market prices or improve their business fortunes.
While some see the fare cut as a potential relief for both traders and customers, others believe the ripple effect will be minimal, citing high prices of goods at source and uncertainty around actual implementation by transport operators.
“I’m happy the fares are going down,” said Aunty Serwaa, a secondhand clothing seller at Tema Station in Accra. “It means I’ll spend less bringing goods from Madina, and hopefully more people will come into town to buy. It could help boost sales.”
Mavis Quansah, who sells fruits, echoed a similar sentiment. “Transport has been a big burden. Some customers even stopped coming. If fares genuinely drop, maybe things will improve a bit.”
But beneath the initial optimism lies a deeper skepticism.
“I don’t believe the fare reduction will change anything,” said Madame Mabel, who runs a provisions stall. “This isn’t the first time we’ve heard fares are going down. In practice, most drivers never reduce them. They say parts and maintenance costs are still high.”
More crucially, several traders argue that even if the fare cut is enforced, the cost of goods at source remains stubbornly high, making a drop in overall prices highly unlikely.
“The price of tomatoes in Techiman hasn’t dropped,” explained Hajia Idris, a tomato trader. “So even if I save a little on transport to Accra, I’m still buying at the same high price. I can’t reduce my selling price here.”
Abena Boateng, who sells plastic wares, added: “Transport is just one part of the chain. If wholesalers and suppliers don’t reduce their prices, the fare reduction won’t mean much. It’s like giving us air to breathe but no food to eat.”
Many of the traders called for better enforcement and monitoring of the fare reduction by authorities. They also urged suppliers, spare parts dealers, and other industry actors to reflect recent fuel price improvements in their pricing.
In the end, while the 15% fare cut may provide a marginal cushion for some, the traders believe meaningful relief will only come when prices drop across the entire supply chain—from farm gates to market stalls.
Until then, market prices are likely to remain high, despite cheaper fares.
