The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has rejected claims that rising spare parts prices justify the 30 per cent hike in transport fares announced by commercial operators. The Association called the allegations by the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union “false and misleading”, stating that prices of engine oil, filters and other key components have stayed flat and that stock levels in the market remain stable.
It added that there have been no significant changes in import duties or market conditions that could explain higher transportation costs based on spare parts prices. The Association accused operators of using the fare increase to pressure the government and to “extort money from ordinary Ghanaians”, describing them as “road robbers”.
Dealers also questioned why Abossey Okai was cited as a source of increased maintenance costs, noting that some operators purchase parts online rather than from the market. The Association is calling for greater transparency in fare discussions, insisting that any increase should be based on verifiable economic indicators.
The dispute follows a decision by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union and other stakeholders to propose a 30 per cent fare rise, citing rising operational costs such as spare parts, lubricants, insurance and other expenses. The union said the adjustment was necessary despite a government intervention that offset diesel price hikes by absorbing GH¢2 per litre.
Any final fare adjustment will be subject to discussions and negotiations with relevant stakeholders. The Abossey Okai association urges regulators, unions and others to rely on independently verifiable data when determining fare changes, to ensure adjustments reflect real operating cost changes rather than unfounded claims about spare parts prices.
