By Gifty Boateng
The much-touted strike action announced by the leadership of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU), in response to the introduction of the GHc1 levy has been called off.
The New Republic is learning this follows a favourable engagement between government and the leadership of the GPRTU.
The biggest transport Union had intended to embark on an industrial action this week as a result of their strong objection to the levy nicknamed dumsor levy.
They had expressed disquiet about government’s decision to spring a surprise on them after agreeing to reduce transport fares barely two weeks ago due to reduction in fuel prices at the pump.
They were also upset about the government failure to engage them as a major stakeholder in the transport business.
But on Monday June 9, government through the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, engaged the leadership following which they announced their decision not to strike anymore.
Speaking on The Pulse on Joy News, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, explained that the decision to suspend the protest was as result of clarification from the ministry, as to why the levy was being introduced and the implementation process.
“The strike action has been suspended based on a meeting the (GPRTU) leadership had with the Ministry just this afternoon,” he confirmed.
Amoah indicated that the meeting gave them proper perspective as to why government needed to take this uncomfortable decision so that the country can be guaranteed an uninterrupted fuel supply to keep the lights on so that it can avoid power outages popularly known as dumsor.
He said all that they were fighting against, was to ensure that the new levy does not affect their fuel purchase at the pump.
“Our issue is that we don’t want a situation whereby some amount of money is going to be added to the fuel product as we go to the pump to buy,” he said.
In the interest of their member, Amoah assured they will continue to monitor the situation and further engage stakeholders to ensure their members are satisfied and are able to go about their work without difficulties.
Last week, Parliament approved the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing a GH¢1 levy on petroleum products.
The controversial bill, is intended to raise additional revenue to address the nation’s crippling energy sector debt and ensure stable power supply, was passed late Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who laid the bill under a certificate of urgency, stated that the energy sector’s total indebtedness stands at US$3.1 billion as of March 2025.
He further explained that a minimum of US$3.7 billion is required to fully clear this debt, with an additional US$1.2 billion needed to procure essential fuel for thermal power generation throughout 2025.
The Minister assured Parliament that the impact of the new levy on ex-pump prices would be “absorbed by the gains made from the strong performance of the Ghana Cedi”, meaning consumers would not experience an immediate price hike