Akufo-Addo opens talks with transport operators over plans to increase fares

President Akufo-Addo is personally leading the negotiation with transport operators on an acceptable increment for transport fares.

This comes in the wake of recent upward adjustment in prices of petroleum products.

Two earlier engagements with the Transport Minister seem to have broken down as the operators are refusing to back down on their proposed 15 to 20 per cent increment.

According to Presidential Affairs Correspondent Elton John Brobbey, a coordinating committee tasked to engage the stakeholders in the transport sector struggled to make headway.

In the earlier meeting, the operators struggled to agree to the proposed review of components that make up the Vehicle Income Tax.

The outcome of those developments have, in a motion, been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance.

“That motion relates to bringing some clarity to some of the provisions in the Income Tax Amendment Act 2021. The act, in its current form, suspends the payment of vehicle income tax for taxis and commercial buses,” he said on Joy FM.

But its application, according to the stakeholders, is shrouded in ambiguity.

However, in another closed-door meeting spearheaded today, President Akufo-Addo is hoping to convince the transport operators to set their proposed increment in fares below 10%, according to JoyNews’ Elton.