The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has launched an investigation into alleged fare overcharging of passengers within the Central Business District (CBD) of Accra. The investigation, initiated on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, resulted in the arrests of six commercial transport operators, primarily comprising three drivers and three bus conductors, collectively known as ‘mates.’
The enforcement exercise, conducted between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., targeted operators operating on the Awoshie, Kasoa, and Madina routes. The AMA stated that the operators were allegedly charging passengers fares exceeding officially approved rates, a practice it warned against in a recent communication from Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey.
The core of the issue centers around a by-law enacted in 2017 that governs the operations of commercial transport operators within the city. This by-law explicitly prohibits operators from charging passengers fares above rates approved by the AMA in consultation with major transport unions. The AMA emphasized this regulation as a critical safeguard for passengers and a means of maintaining fair and transparent transport practices.
The arrests follow a previous directive from Mayor Kpakpo Allotey, which highlights the importance of strict adherence to approved transport fares. The AMA’s investigation confirms that the operators were apprehended under clauses 19(f) and 19(d) of the AMA (Operation of Commercial Vehicles) By-laws, 2017. This by-law outlines the responsibilities and prohibitions of commercial transport operators.
Specifically, the charges against the arrested operators include prohibiting them from charging passengers fares exceeding the approved rates. The AMA further stated that the drivers were instructed not to alight passengers midway through a journey, effectively charging separate fares for different portions of the trip. The arrests include Joseph Bonney, Francis Morgah, and Foster Osei, identified as the three drivers. The three mates – Benjamin Ofori Atta, Emmanuel Aduafo, and Emmanuel Paa Ekow Amissah – are also under scrutiny.
The AMA stressed that this enforcement exercise is a crucial component of its broader strategy to ensure compliance with approved transport fares and to protect passengers from potentially unfair and arbitrary charges. The agency intends to conduct further investigations to determine the extent of the alleged overcharging and to address any potential violations of the by-law. The investigation is being conducted with a focus on verifying the accuracy of passenger fares and identifying any instances of deliberate price manipulation. The AMA has stated that this incident underscores the importance of maintaining regulatory oversight within the city’s transport sector to safeguard passenger rights and ensure a fair and efficient transportation system.”
*Source: Adom Online*
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Source: Adom Online
