Former Deputy Transport Minister, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, has challenged the Ministry's authority to order the arrest of private transport drivers, for increasing their fares, asserting that it lacks the mandate to do so.

Madam Mogtari argued that as long as fuel prices continue to rise, drivers have the right to adjust their fares accordingly, highlighting the economic factors driving their decision.

The Ministry's directive, issued on Monday, April 15, instructing the Ghana Police Service to monitor and apprehend drivers charging fares above approved rates, was met with scepticism by Madam Mogtari.

The Transport Minister or is it the Ministry of Transport has absolutely no power to ask the Police to arrest drivers of private vehicles who have increased fares because of the recent increase in fuel prices!

— Joyce Bawah Mogtari (@joyce_bawah) April 16, 2024

In response to concerns raised by drivers about the necessity of fare hikes due to escalating fuel prices, the Ministry emphasised ongoing negotiations for new public transport fares with Road Transport Operators.

Madam Mogtari's assertion, echoed in a post on X on Tuesday, April 16, challenges the Ministry's authority and underscores the complexity of addressing fare adjustments in response to economic fluctuations.

"The Transport Minister or is it the Ministry of Transport has absolutely no power to ask the Police to arrest drivers of private vehicles who have increased fares because of the recent increase in fuel prices!"