Ghanaians are paying more to commute in the midst of rising fuel costs.

The West African nation which has been an oil producer for the past two decades is yet to attain fuel sustainability, and the new hike is sparking fears of a return to the scourge of the coronavirus era.

A litre of diesel and petrol had remained in the region of GHC 12 for more than two years since the last fuel crisis, but are both now selling beyond GHC 14. The Ghana Private Road Transport Union is pushing for a 30 percent increment, and says the Transport Ministry's blockade of a 20 percent upward adjustment in January accounted for the present rate.

The Union insists the increments were necessary to save drivers and transport operators within the escalating fuel costs.

Although growing tensions in the middle East is undoubtedly the cause of the oil market situation, Ghana’s economy is suffering bad times, and many have conditioned for the rising cost of living.

This could mean cutting down nonessential travels by many, and which would affect the public transport sector. Internal transportation including commercial passenger tricycles and motorcycles have increased fares as expected although regulators including various local assemblies and transport unions are yet to approve new rates.

Some disagreements therefore expected among operators and various passenger groups, but as other sectors including commercial aviation begin to registered fare hikes, the situation is expected to extend to all other modes assisted commute.

Ghanaians are expressing frustration, and being an election year, pressure builds on the Government to save the situation.

GHT