“COPEC Doesn’t Set Lorry Fares” – Drivers’ Union Responds to Call for Fare Reductions
True Drivers Union says fare adjustments must follow legal procedures, urges Ministry of Transport to engage unions before any reductions
- Yaw Barimah of the True Drivers Union clarified that COPEC does not set lorry fares; fare adjustments are determined by transport unions and the Ministry of Transport
- He commended the government and NPA for reducing fuel prices but noted that high costs of spare parts and other inputs remain unchanged
- Barimah emphasized that any fare reduction must follow legal procedures, and the union will engage only if formally contacted by the Ministry
Yaw Barimah, spokesperson for the True Drivers Union, has responded to the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers’ (COPEC) call for discussions on reducing transport fares following falling fuel prices.
Speaking on the Ghana Se Sen Show with Kwame Tanko on Tuesday, January 6, Barimah clarified that lorry fares are determined by transport unions and the Ministry of Transport, not COPEC.
“COPEC doesn’t set lorry fares. Lorry fares are done by the transport unions and the Ministry of Transport,” he said, emphasizing that any adjustment must follow legal procedures.
Barimah commended the government and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), particularly Boss Godwin Eduodzi Tamakloe, for their efforts in reducing fuel prices. However, he noted that despite the drop in fuel, drivers continue to operate under high operational costs, including spare parts, which have not decreased.
“We can’t just use our will to reduce fares; it has to be backed by law. Spare parts prices have not been reduced; that is never true,” Barimah said.
He further stated that no ministry has contacted the union to discuss fare reductions. “If the Ministry calls us, we will go, review how it was done initially, put things in order, and issue a letter accordingly,” he added.
Barimah’s comments highlight the procedural and legal frameworks governing fare adjustments, underscoring that fuel price drops alone do not automatically lead to lower transport fares.
