Ghanawatchonline.com News, Politics, Education & More
Commuters who ply the Anwiankwanta–Kumasi route in the Ashanti Region have raised serious concerns over what they describe as unwarranted and exploitative transport fare hikes ahead of the Christmas festivities.
According to affected passengers, commercial drivers operating along the route have increased fares from the usual GHS12 to as high as GHS50, leaving many commuters stranded or forced to pay the inflated charges.
Speaking to this reporter, several passengers expressed frustration, saying the sudden increase has placed an unbearable financial burden on traders, students, and workers who rely on the route daily.
“I take this road every day, and I normally pay GHS12,” said Yaw Amankwaa, a commuter. “This morning, the driver demanded GHS50 and said it was because of Christmas. We are suffering.”
Other commuters claimed that drivers refuse to move unless passengers agree to the new fares, leading to delays and congestion at transport terminals in Anwiankwanta.
In response to the situation, commuters are calling on the Bekwai Police Command and executives of transport unions to intervene and restore sanity on the route. They are urging authorities to enforce approved fares and protect passengers from what they describe as extortion.
Some drivers, however, justified the increase, citing heavy traffic, fuel expenses, and high demand during the festive season. “The road is busy and we spend long hours in traffic. Christmas time is also when everyone is traveling,” one driver explained.
Transport union officials have in the past warned drivers against arbitrary fare hikes, emphasizing that fare adjustments must be sanctioned by the appropriate authorities before implementation.
As the Christmas starts tomorrow, December 24,2025, commuters fear the situation may worsen if swift action is not taken. Many are appealing to law enforcement agencies and transport union leadership to intensify monitoring and ensure fair pricing during the festive season.
Source: ghanawatchonline.com/0546062832
Samuel Sarkodie is a young journalist who has for years worked with Kumasi based OTEC FM as a news reporter and Time FM as a sports presenter, his versatility in the media fraternity has held him till date, he is always for the truth and accuracy in terms of news story. He is currently the Editor for this site, ghanawatchonline.com
