Accra Transport Unions Launch Task Force to End Overcharging

Commuters in Ghana's capital are finally getting backup in their daily battle against unfair fares and transport chaos.

Accra's major transport unions, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, announced they're creating a unified task force to crack down on drivers who overcharge passengers and refuse to complete routes. The move comes after thousands of residents complained about paying double or triple the approved fares, especially during morning and evening rush hours.

"Those who are charging above the approved fares should be at the end of their path because that is totally cheating," one union leader told media after stakeholder meetings. He called out drivers taking ten cedis when the fare should be five, describing the practice as dishonest and unacceptable.

The unions discovered the real problem isn't a shortage of vehicles. During the Christmas period, many drivers simply avoided the city center because heavy traffic made their trips unprofitable, leaving passengers stranded at terminals.

Union officials met with the Minister of Transport, who directed them to organize themselves and enforce discipline among their members. Emergency meetings are already scheduled to inform drivers about the new standards.

The Ripple Effect

This collaborative approach marks a shift from finger pointing to problem solving. Instead of blaming individual unions, all private transport groups will contribute members to one unified task force that monitors compliance across the board.

The unions also pushed responsibility back to government agencies, calling on the Ministry of Local Government and local assemblies to tackle Accra's crippling traffic congestion. When traffic reduces driver turnaround time, passengers pile up at terminals and frustrations boil over.

"We have committed to working with this initiative," a union representative said. "We expect the ministry also to play its role very well so that this will not be a nine-day wonder."

The task force represents the first coordinated effort by competing transport unions to police their own members and restore trust with the riding public. For commuters who've endured years of unpredictable fares and unreliable service, it's a concrete step toward making their daily journey less stressful.

Union leaders promised immediate action, with enforcement beginning as soon as all groups finalize their task force representatives.