The Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union has suspended its sit‑down strike on the second day, giving the government a month to demonstrate concrete progress on roads that serve key petroleum depots nationwide. The move comes after the union issued a two‑week ultimatum to the authorities and threatened a sit‑down strike on Wednesday, September 2.
Drivers say they will return to normal operations from Friday, September 4, following interventions by the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) and the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC). The suspension follows weeks of escalating pressure from the drivers, who warned of industrial action over what they described as dangerous and deteriorating road conditions.
The strike had affected tanker operations at major loading points, including the Tema industrial area, as drivers protested the state of roads used to transport petroleum products across the country. In its statement, the union cited the road from Valco Roundabout in Tema to Kpone Junction, as well as roads within the Takoradi and Buipe depot enclaves, as critical national economic corridors.
Drivers argue that the deteriorating roads expose them, other workers and road users to serious safety and health risks, despite their essential role in Ghana’s petroleum supply chain and industrial activity. The union estimates that activities facilitated by these roads generate about GH¢300 million in tax revenue for the government every week, making continued neglect unacceptable.
Despite calling off the strike, the tanker drivers say their demands remain unchanged. They expect the government to take immediate and concrete steps to fast‑track the rehabilitation and completion of the affected roads. The union has given the government a one‑month window to demonstrate “visible and measurable progress,” warning that failure to meet the expectation could trigger a return to industrial action.
“Should Government fail to demonstrate visible and measurable progress within the one-month period, the Unions will be compelled to resume industrial action, including a prolonged sit-down strike,” the statement said.
The latest development offers temporary relief for petroleum haulage and businesses dependent on fuel movement, but leaves the government under pressure to act before the one-month deadline expires. The union’s stance signals that any delay could see the strike resume, potentially disrupting Ghana’s vital petroleum supply chain once again.
