Pokuase–Ablekuma Drivers Protest Loading-Point Fee Hikes

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A local intervention has been made in the dispute over loading-point charges on the Pokuase–Ablekuma corridor, where commercial drivers began a three-day protest on Tuesday, November 10, over increases they describe as unfair.

Ga West Municipal Chief Executive John Akwetey Agbo reportedly visited the affected route, stopped the disputed ticketing and directed drivers to report anyone demanding illegal charges. He also accompanied the operators as they returned to work, according to Vision1 FM.

The drivers say daily fees at some loading points have increased from GH¢10 to GH¢15, while charges at other locations have reportedly risen from GH¢15 to GH¢20. They argue that the additional costs are reducing their earnings, particularly following the 8% transport fare adjustment in September.

The disagreement has also been linked to alleged confrontations at loading points. Drivers claim some colleagues were attacked by individuals described as land guards after resisting attempts to make them load passengers at designated locations. Police were reportedly called in, leading to the arrest of some suspects, although the allegations have not been independently established.

The protest disrupted services along the route, leaving commuters stranded and prompting calls for the GPRTU and relevant authorities to resolve the matter. The drivers are seeking a review of the charges and measures to prevent further harassment at loading points.

The latest dispute comes less than a week after five transport unions suspended a planned nationwide shutdown on November 4 following government intervention over concerns about traders occupying bus stops and pedestrian walkways under the TraffiTech-GH system.

While that earlier disagreement involved access to bus stops and traffic enforcement, the current protest centres on charges collected at loading points and the drivers’ allegations of intimidation. The GPRTU’s national leadership and police had not publicly responded to the latest allegations in the reports available at the time of publication.