By Collins Sarkodieh 
The leadership of the True Drivers Union has raised an alarm over rising fuel prices, accusing the Energy Ministry of pursuing policies that could economically cripple commercial drivers. Yaw Barima, the union’s spokesperson, claims that the current upward trend in pump prices mirrors the aggressive crackdowns previously seen in the small-scale mining sector.
While the government argues that tax interventions have actually prevented prices from soaring even higher, the “boots-on-the-ground” reality for drivers remains grim. This tension highlights a growing divide between macroeconomic management and the daily survival of the transport industry. For thousands of drivers, the debate isn’t about percentages or previous administrations; it is about whether they can afford to keep their vehicles on the road.
Why are Ghanaian drivers accusing the Energy Minister of a “destruction mission”?
The True Drivers Union believes the government is intentionally ignoring the financial distress of drivers by allowing fuel prices to rise despite having the power to intervene further. Yaw Barima argues that the Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu, is applying the same “collapse” tactics to the transport sector that were previously used against small-scale miners.
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This accusation stems from a lack of trust in the government’s pricing mechanism. Drivers point to neighboring countries like Nigeria, where fuel costs remain significantly lower, as evidence that the Ghanaian government could do more to subsidize or reduce the tax burden. When fuel prices rise, it doesn’t just hurt the driver; it triggers a domino effect on food prices and general inflation, effectively “rendering them poor” as they struggle to pass the costs onto passengers without losing business.
How has the government defended the recent fuel price increments?
The Energy Ministry maintains that the current administration has managed the petroleum sector far better than the previous one by twice reducing the Special Petroleum Tax (SPT). Minister John Peter Amewu highlighted that the tax was slashed from 17.5% to 15% in 2017, and further down to 13% in early 2018.
According to the Ministry’s logic, if the previous tax regime were still in place, Ghanaians would be paying nearly 10% more at the pump. The Minister’s stance is that the government is actually “swallowing” some of the costs to protect consumers from the full brunt of global oil market volatility. However, this statistical defense often falls on deaf ears when the price on the board still shows an increase that eats into the daily earnings of a taxi or trotro driver.
What is the Special Petroleum Tax (SPT) and why does it matter?
The Special Petroleum Tax is a “built-in” levy on every liter of petrol and diesel sold in Ghana, designed to generate revenue for the state regardless of global oil price fluctuations. While the government has reduced the percentage of this tax, its existence remains a major point of contention for commercial transport unions.
For the Energy Ministry, the SPT is a necessary tool for fiscal stability. For the True Drivers Union, it is an “unnecessary burden” that keeps local prices high even when global crude prices drop. The debate is a classic tug-of-war: the state needs the revenue to fund national infrastructure, while the drivers need that money to stay in their pockets to cover vehicle maintenance and rising living costs.
How do Ghana’s fuel prices compare to Nigeria’s in 2026?
Yaw Barima pointed out a stark contrast, noting that fuel in Nigeria remains significantly cheaper, often cited at nearly half the price of what is sold in Ghana. This regional price disparity creates a sense of unfairness among Ghanaian drivers who feel they are being overtaxed by their own government.
It is important to note that Nigeria’s pricing is heavily influenced by domestic subsidies and its status as a major global oil producer with its own massive refining capacity. Ghana, despite being an oil producer, still imports a significant portion of its refined petroleum products. This makes the local market more vulnerable to currency depreciation (the Cedi vs. the Dollar) and shipping costs, factors that are often overlooked in heated political debates but are central to the final price at the pump.
Was the small-scale mining sector “destroyed” by the same policies?
The True Drivers Union’s reference to the “collapse” of small-scale mining refers to the 2017-2018 “galamsey” crackdown led by the same minister during his tenure at the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry. While the government framed it as an environmental rescue mission, many in the sector saw it as an economic disaster that left thousands without livelihoods.
The drivers fear a “sequel” where their industry becomes the next target for high-pressure regulation or economic neglect. By drawing this parallel, the union is trying to mobilize public sympathy and signal that they will not go down as quietly as the miners did. It’s a bold rhetorical move that shifts the conversation from “fuel economics” to “political intentions,” making it a much larger headache for the Energy Ministry.
Also Read: Government May Cut Fuel Taxes to Soften the Blow as Oil Prices Keep Rising
What can the government do to stop the soaring fuel prices?
Union leaders insist that the government can still do more to lower prices, such as removing the “Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy” or further cutting the SPT. They argue that “managing the situation better than the previous guy” isn’t a high enough bar when the current price is still hurting the average citizen.
Economists often suggest that the only sustainable way to lower prices is to increase local refining capacity through the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR). This would reduce the reliance on foreign exchange for fuel imports. However, until that happens, the government is stuck in a cycle of either subsidizing fuel—which drains the national treasury or letting the market dictate the price, which triggers the kind of social unrest we are currently seeing from the True Drivers Union.
Why is this news important for the “Ghana News Page” audience?
This story matters because it hits at the core of the Ghanaian economy: transport and logistics. If drivers can’t afford fuel, goods don’t move, and the cost of living for every Ghanaian from the office worker in Accra to the farmer in Tamale goes up.
As we approach the 2026 election cycle, the “fuel price narrative” will be one of the most powerful political tools. For followers of Ghana News, this tension between the True Drivers Union and the Energy Ministry is an early indicator of the social pressures that will define the coming year. It’s a story about power, money, and the struggle of the common man against the machinery of the state.
Future Implications: Will the protest lead to a price drop?
Historically, when transport unions in Ghana get loud, the government often responds with a “temporary freeze” on price hikes or a small tax waiver to calm the waters. However, with the IMF monitoring Ghana’s fiscal discipline in 2026, the government has less room to make these “generous” gestures without blowing a hole in the national budget.
If the Energy Ministry doesn’t find a way to engage with the True Drivers Union, we may see organized strikes or sit-down protests. This would paralyze the cities and force a much more uncomfortable conversation about how the “24-Hour Economy” can survive when the fuel that powers it is becoming too expensive to buy. The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether the “destruction mission” is fact or just a very effective piece of union propaganda.
Also Read: President Mahama Calls Emergency Cabinet Meeting as Fuel Prices Spike – “We Will Cushion Ghanaians”