The Alliance of Drivers Ghana has announced a 20 percent increase in lorry fares effective Friday, 21 February 2026, citing escalating operational costs that threaten the sustainability of commercial transport services across the country.
In a press release issued on Monday, 16 February, the group said the upward adjustment has become necessary following sustained increases in spare parts prices, maintenance costs, regulatory fees, and operational expenses that drivers have absorbed in recent months.
According to the alliance, commercial drivers have experienced steep rises in the cost of essential vehicle components. The price of a Toyota Vitz gearbox has surged from GHC4,000 to GHC7,000, while radiators now cost GHC1,000, up from GHC600. A carburettor has increased from GHC800 to GHC1,000, the group stated.
Larger vehicle components have seen even sharper increases. The cost of a Sprinter engine has jumped from GHC15,000 to GHC40,000, while a Nissan Almera engine has risen from GHC10,000 to GHC15,000, according to the alliance.
The group also cited significant increases in engine oil and servicing costs, charges from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and other regulatory bodies, vehicle insurance premiums, tyre prices, and utility costs including water and electricity.
The alliance noted that drivers, operating as self-employed individuals without government support, must independently bear all operational costs while working long hours under challenging conditions. Many return home with little or no profit despite extended work hours, the statement said.
The group acknowledged that the fare adjustment will lead to higher transport costs for commuters nationwide but maintained that the increment is necessary to sustain commercial transport operations and ensure continued service delivery.
The statement was signed by National Organiser Ishmael Chobal, National Public Relations Officer Kwaku Boateng, and Assistant National Relations Officer Asare Opoku.
The alliance appealed to transport operators to comply with the new fares and called on passengers to show understanding and patience during what it described as a difficult economic period for the transport sector.
The announcement follows a similar 20 percent fare increase implemented in March 2025, when the alliance cited rising fuel prices and maintenance costs as primary drivers. Industry observers note that operational costs for commercial drivers have remained elevated throughout 2025 despite improvements in some macroeconomic indicators including currency stability and fuel price reductions in early 2026.
Spare parts pricing has emerged as a contentious issue, with transport operators maintaining that high maintenance costs persist even as other economic factors stabilize. Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare recently met with spare parts dealers and transport operators to address pricing concerns, with dealers attributing price rigidity to demand-supply imbalances and the role of intermediaries.
The fare increase will take effect across Ghana on 21 February 2026, five days after the announcement.
