Stop the exploitation of commuters now
THE growing trend of unorthodox loading practices by some commercial drivers in Accra and its surrounding areas has become an alarming social injustice that demands urgent attention.
What began as an occasional inconvenience has now evolved into a systemic exploitation of commuters who are compelled to pay more than double the approved transport fares simply to reach their destinations. This is not only unfair; it is immoral and economically damaging to already struggling citizens.
From Ashaiman to Circle, Circle to Nsawam, and Kasoa to Accra, hundreds of passengers are being forced into fragmented journeys where they must alight and re-board multiple times, each segment accompanied by yet another inflated fare.
On the Ashaiman-Circle stretch alone, commuters pay well above the approved fare after enduring needless stops at Lashibi, Nungua, and Teshie. On the Circle-Nsawam route, what should cost GH¢12.00 now shockingly escalates to nearly GH¢30.00 through unnecessary route segmentation.
The Kasoa corridor tells a similar story of deception, with drivers advertising short destinations, collecting fares, and later altering the destination mid-journey, compelling passengers to pay extra against their will. The Ghanaian Times finds this practice as nothing short of extortion cloaked in transportation. It wastes precious time, drains pockets, increases stress, and undermines public trust in the transport system.
At a time when many families are battling economic hardship, such exploitation worsens living conditions and further erodes disposable incomes. Drivers justify their actions by citing fuel price increases, traffic congestion, and long working hours. While these concerns may be legitimate, they do not grant license to swindle passengers. Operating a commercial vehicle does not permit disregard for approved fares, deceitful conduct, or deliberate manipulation of routes for profit. As one driver boldly admitted, the practice is wrong, a rare but telling confession.
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has rightly condemned the practice, describing it as exploitation and misconduct. However, condemnation is not enough. Enforcement remains weak, accountability is minimal, and many perpetrators operate outside recognised unions, making them difficult to track. Previous arrests by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly provided brief relief, but the resurgence of the practice shows that enforcement is neither consistent nor stringent enough.
We call on government and regulatory agencies to step up. The Motor Traffic and Transport Unit, transport unions, and metropolitan assemblies must collaborate to establish firm controls, intensify monitoring, and punish offenders decisively. In our view, more regulated buses should be deployed, especially along high-demand routes such as Nsawam and Kasoa, to reduce commuter dependence on exploitative drivers.
Passengers must also refuse to remain passive victims. They must speak up, report offenders, insist on approved fares, and prioritise using organised terminals where regulations are better enforced. Civil society groups and the media must continue to highlight these abuses and amplify commuter voices until change is achieved.
Transportation is not a luxury; it is a basic necessity that fuels productivity, economic participation, and social mobility. When citizens are forced to spend excessively on daily commuting, the nation indirectly stifles economic life and punishes its workforce.
Ghana cannot continue to tolerate a transport system that rewards dishonesty and punishes integrity. The exploitation of commuters must stop, and it must stop now. Authorities must act decisively, drivers must conduct themselves responsibly, and citizens must demand fairness. Anything less is an endorsement of injustice.
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