The fate of Uber Ghana hangs in balance as a meeting between stakeholders in the transport industry ends inconclusively. The meeting was to address concerns raised by some stakeholders in the transport industry about the operations of Uber in the country.

The question as to whether or not cars being used by Uber in Ghana should be branded as taxis is yet to be answered by the Ministry of Transport.

Commercial Taxi Drivers Association has in recent times been opposing the operations of Uber in the country, raising concerns about vehicle income tax, roadworthy certificate, among other issues. They say vehicles being used by Uber should be branded as taxis.

Earlier reports suggested that the transport ministry had ordered Uber Ghana to ensure that their drivers brand their vehicles as taxis within a period of one month. But the Public Relations Officer of the Transport Ministry, Gloria Holme-Graves, speaking to JoyBusiness, denied this.

“The Ministry has not at any point in time given any directive that UberGhana should rebrand its vehicles. It was clear at the meeting. All the stakeholders were present. There was no such directive from the Minister of Transport, the Deputy Minister or any official from the ministry.” she stressed.

The meeting held last Wednesday had representatives from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Commercial Taxi Drivers Association of Ghana and Uber Ghana.

The meeting was adjourned to February on the basis that all stakeholders bring the required documents to argue their stance.

Transport Consultant, Cecile Garbrah believes the branding of Uber vehicles is the least of the solutions to the problems facing the country’s transport sector.

He said, “Uber is not branded but again if you look at the LI 2180, Regulation 130, Uber must be branded because they operate like taxis but is it important? It is not important.”

“Branding taxis are part of the laws of Ghana, under the Road and Traffic Act, section 120, but that is the least of the laws. If we are to look at the laws of this country, then a lot more must be done, than tackling the UBER issue. It is not necessary. Really not necessary,” he said.

Mr Garbrah said, “Local taxi drivers haven't got any case. They must rather work within their framework. I think it is not necessary for Uber to paint its colours in taxi colours. It will not change anything, but I feel the best thing for us to do as a nation is to allow them [Uber] to work."