Koforidua taxi drivers embark on strike over new fares

Koforidua, 24, GNA- Taxi drivers in the New Juaben Municipality on Thursday, withdrew their services for few hours in protest against the 30 per cent fare prescribed by the government as a result of the 50 per cent fuel price increase.

The drivers who converged at the Jackson's Park at Koforidua were demanding 1,500 cedis for their services and not the approved 1,300 cedis.

They chanted slogans such as, "no 1,500 cedis no work". Mr Kwabena Acheampong, an Executive Member of the Taxi Drivers Union of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU), claimed that they were running at a loss hence the need for commuters to pay an extra 200 cedis for their services.

However Nana Adjei Boateng, Municipal Chief Executive said the claims of the drivers had no basis because all other operational costs were taken into consideration before the approved fares were announced. He described the strike action as disappointing because leaders of the Union were consulted before the new fares were announced. The drivers have however resumed work but are charging 1,500 cedis per passenger.