The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has called for a stronger state-owned public transport system, arguing that public transportation should not be left entirely in the hands of private operators.
Mr Tameklo said the current system exposes commuters to repeated threats of fare increases whenever operating costs rise, creating broader concerns for national security and public welfare.
His comments followed an announcement by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) that it intends to increase transport fares following recent increases in fuel prices, despite the government’s extension of a GH₵2 fuel subsidy through September.
Mr Tameklo said the government had taken steps to cushion transport operators and consumers, including maintaining the fuel subsidy and implementing measures that have strengthened the cedi and reduced the cost of importing spare parts.
He argued that continued threats of fare increases demonstrate the need to rethink Ghana’s public transport system and provide commuters with reliable alternatives to privately operated services.
The NPA CEO therefore urged the Finance Minister to allocate resources in the 2027 budget to expand the state’s fleet of buses.
He said a stronger state-owned transport system would help protect commuters from sudden fare increases, promote stability in the transport sector and safeguard the broader public interest.