The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) are urging the government to provide a clear timeline for the implementation and duration of the GH¢1 fuel levy set to take effect on July 16.
While the GPRTU has dropped its initial resistance following stakeholder engagements, it insists the levy must not become a permanent burden.
“We also plead with those in authority to also make sure they come out with a timeline that we are taking this [fuel levy] for 6 months or for 1 year or whichever date they think it will sustain us up to,” said Abass Imoro, Industrial Relations Officer of GPRTU.
Imoro noted that the marginal drop in petrol prices and the slight increase in diesel for the first pricing window of July offer some relief, but warned that further hikes could force fare adjustments.
He emphasized that drivers need to see tangible benefits from their work, stating, “We are working and we will want to make sure we are making profit out of what we are doing. So when we get to a stage where we see no profit why not, we will start to make sure we also gain something out of what we are doing.”
COPEC is equally firm in its stance. Executive Secretary Duncan Amoah is demanding accountability and a fixed duration for the levy, stressing it should not become a permanent charge like previous taxes.
“This new GHȼ1 levy should not be treated as one of those old taxes that we have left on the price build up forever,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies says its members are preparing for the rollout but cautioned that the impact on fuel prices remains uncertain due to market volatility.
