The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has reiterated its decision to increase transport fares by 60% in 2024.
According to the Public Relations Officer for GPRTU, Abbas Imoro, this is in connection with the Emission Levy Bill recently passed by parliament.
The Emissions Levy Bill, will, among other things, charge all petrol and diesel car owners GH₵100 every year beginning in January 2024.
The government introduced this new tax bill to promote the use of eco-friendly energy sources to power vehicles.
The initiative is part of the government’s drive towards more climate-positive actions and offsetting carbon output.
But Mr Imoro said the GPRTU had earlier petitioned parliament to reconsider this levy.
He argued that this levy would exacerbate the woes of the already taxed vehicle owners and the transport business.
“We are already paying for the emission, 10 pesewas for a litre. So you can imagine 10 pesewas by 4.5 for a gallon by several gallons you use a day times 26 working days in a month. You can imagine how much one driver pays for it. And we pleaded with parliament that they should have a second look at it.
“But we did indicate that if nothing is being done or nothing can be done about it, then of course we have other problems as well. We will package ourselves and come out with an upward adjustment of lorry fares not less than 60%,” Abbas Imoro said.