The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has expressed its intention to raise transport fares by 60% in 2024, following the implementation of the Emission Levy Bill in January of that year.
Mr Abass Imoro, the spokesperson for GPRTU, conveyed this announcement during an interview on JoyNews.
The recently passed Emissions Levy Bill by Parliament introduces an annual fee of 100 cedis for all owners of petrol and diesel cars, effective from January 2024. The government aims to promote the use of environmentally friendly energy sources for vehicle power, aligning with its commitment to climate-positive actions and carbon offset initiatives.
Mr. Imoro emphasized that the Union is already grappling with existing taxes, making the addition of another tax unfavorable. He revealed that the Union has communicated its concerns by writing to the Speaker of Parliament, urging the house to reconsider and review the Emission Levy Bill.
He said, “In the letter, we indicated that if nothing is done about it, we will increase lorry fare by not less than 60%.”
He added that the adjustment in transport fares is deemed necessary to assist drivers in coping with the potential economic challenges resulting from the introduction of the new tax.
Earlier, the Minority in Parliament opposed the approval of the Emissions Levy Bill, contending that the tax lacked thorough consideration. Terming it a ‘wusie tax,’ they argued that the levy imposed on various vehicles, including commercial vehicles, private vehicles, ambulances, commercial motorbikes, and tricycles, would exacerbate the already precarious economic situation in the country.
However, in defense of the bill, Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh asserted that the global trend is shifting away from internal combustion vehicles, and the new levy is a step towards propelling the country into the era of electric vehicles.
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