The Office of National Security in the Ashanti Region has launched a joint security operation to clamp down on illegal hikes in transport fares.

The rollout is expected to commence on Monday, January 26, with selected security agencies taking charge of the operations.

Led by the Regional Security Liaison Officer, Capt. (Rtd.) Kwame Jabari, the exercise will deploy more than 20 personnel from the regional office, supported by officers from district security units within the Kumasi metropolis.

The operation will focus on commercial drivers, conductors, and loading boys who unlawfully increase transport fares. Offenders arrested during the exercise will be handed over to the Ghana Police Service for prosecution.

The crackdown is expected to run for fourteen hours daily across Greater Kumasi and will continue until authorities observe a significant change in the conduct of transport operators, particularly trotro drivers.

To cushion commuters from the impact of the enforcement exercise, National Security has partnered with Metro Mass Transit to deploy at least 10 buses.

These buses will transport passengers from selected communities to Kejetia and other key destinations within the metropolis.

Speaking to the media ahead of the operation, Capt. (Rtd.) Jabari emphasized that the initiative is not designed to punish transport operators but to instil discipline and uphold the rule of law.

“As a transport operator, you have no right to take the law into your own hands by increasing transport fares. That is a sign of indiscipline, and it must not be tolerated,” he said.

Authorities describe the operation as part of wider measures to safeguard commuters and restore order within Kumasi’s commercial transport sector.

The move underscores the government's commitment to ensuring fairness and discipline in public transportation across the Ashanti Regional capital.