An intense altercation broke out at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra after a commercial driver reportedly returned passengers midway through their journey, refusing to comply with the recent directive for a 15 percent reduction in transport fares. The incident, which drew significant public attention, was captured on video by a young woman who was present at the scene and self-recorded while recounting the event.
According to the lady’s eyewitness report, tensions flared when passengers demanded that the driver reduce the fare in accordance with a nationwide directive issued by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), in collaboration with the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC). The directive, which came into effect earlier this week, mandated a 15 percent reduction in transport fares to reflect the recent decrease in fuel prices.
However, the driver in question allegedly refused to honour the new pricing structure. When passengers protested, he reportedly turned the vehicle around and returned them to the starting point at Circle without completing the trip. The action sparked outrage among the commuters, many of whom expressed frustration over the wasted time and fuel.
Social media reactions to the video have been divided. One user commented, “That’s good from the driver, if the driver can’t buy anything at a reduced price then there is no way he has to reduce his own. Make everyone get excess profit.” Another remarked, “Enoaaa no no, if you don’t understand buy your own car.” Meanwhile, a third user humorously criticized the driver’s actions, stating, “So he wasted fuel like that, akoa agyimi,” accompanied by laughing emojis.
The GPRTU and GRTCC have yet to respond publicly to the specific incident, but the situation underscores the challenges involved in implementing transport fare policies, especially in a sector where compliance is largely self-regulated. As of now, passengers are advised to be aware of their rights under the new fare directive and report non-compliant drivers to the appropriate authorities.
This incident highlights broader concerns over enforcement and fairness in Ghana’s public transportation system, particularly during economic transitions. Many drivers argue that fare reductions are impractical when the prices of vehicle parts, food and other essentials remain high, despite falling fuel costs. The issue reflects a deeper struggle between economic policy directives and the daily realities faced by commercial transport operators.