The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has arrested six commercial transport operators in the Central Business District (CBD) for allegedly charging passengers fares above the approved rates to Awoshie, Kasoa and Madina.
The six, comprising three drivers and three bus conductors, popularly known as “mates,” were arrested on the evening of Tuesday, August 25, 2026, between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. during an enforcement exercise by the Assembly, following a warning by the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey against arbitrary fare increases by some commercial transport operators in the city.
The arrests were carried out in line with clause 19 (f) and (d) of the AMA (Operation of Commercial Vehicles) By-laws, 2017, which prohibits a driver of a commercial vehicle from charging more than the fares prescribed and approved by the Assembly in consultation with representatives of the major transport operator unions and making passengers alight along a journey and re-board the same vehicle in order to charge separate fares for different stretches of the trip respectively.
The drivers arrested were Joseph Bonney, Francis Morgah and Foster Osei, while the bus conductors were Benjamin Ofori Atta, Emmanuel Aduafo and Emmanuel Paa Ekow Amissah.
During the operation, a driver of a Mercedes Benz Sprinter bus with registration number GW 2748-26, operating from the CBD to Awoshie, was allegedly found charging passengers GH¢15 instead of the approved GH¢7.50, representing twice the approved fare.
Another Toyota Hiace with registration number GR 6294-17, operating from the CBD to Kasoa, was intercepted, with its driver and mate arrested for allegedly charging passengers GH¢15 instead of the approved GH¢10.
A third Toyota Hiace with registration number GT 5988-18, operating to Madina, was also intercepted, and the two operators were arrested for allegedly charging passengers GH¢10 instead of the approved GH¢8.
The suspects were subsequently handed over to the police and were expected to be arraigned before the La Motor Court on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, for the appropriate legal action.
Speaking to the media ahead of the enforcement exercise, the Mayor said the Assembly’s task force would visit various transport terminals and loading points to intensify enforcement, and was hopeful that the extensive public education and media publicity on the exercise would deter drivers from continuing the practice.
He urged passengers to insist on paying approved fares and report commercial drivers or conductors who attempted to demand amounts above the officially approved rates, stressing that public cooperation was critical to stopping the practice.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
