The Cost of Commuting: How Rising Transport Prices Affect Everyday Workers
By Nomako
Accra, Ghana — When Lydia Mensah leaves her two-bedroom home in Kasoa at 5:30 a.m. each morning, the first thing she does is check the contents of her purse. On most days, there’s enough for transportation. But lately, that hasn’t always been the case.
“I used to spend GH₵8 total for trotro from home to work and back,” she said, referring to Ghana’s shared minibus taxis. “Now it’s closer to GH₵14. It may not sound like much, but it adds up, especially with school fees, rent, and food.”
Lydia is one of thousands of working-class Ghanaians bearing the brunt of surging transportation costs, a ripple effect of global fuel price hikes, currency instability, and domestic inflation. While policymakers debate long-term solutions, everyday commuters are reconfiguring their budgets — and their lives.
A Ripple Through the Economy
According to the Ghana Statistical Service, transportation costs have risen over 35% since January 2023. Fuel prices have crossed GH₵14 per litre in some areas, pushing transport unions to adjust fares multiple times within the year.
“Transportation is not just a line item in people’s budgets — it determines access,” said Dr. Yaw Amankwah, an economist at the University of Ghana. “Access to jobs, access to education, access to healthcare.”
Dr. Amankwah warns that as transport becomes more expensive, people may start declining opportunities farther from home, even if those opportunities offer higher wages. “It shrinks your economic world,” he added.
The Human Cost: Stories from the Commute
In the suburb of Madina, 26-year-old Kwabena Boateng recently quit his job as a warehouse clerk in Spintex because his monthly commute was costing him nearly 40% of his salary.
“I was paying more to get to work than I was earning after food and airtime,” he said. “I didn’t see the sense in continuing.”
He’s now unemployed, relying on part-time work helping his uncle’s barbershop. His situation is not unique. Many Ghanaians, particularly in the informal sector, are forced to make stark choices between work, savings, and sanity.
Working Parents Struggle
For mothers like Lydia, the challenge compounds. “My daughter’s school is in the opposite direction of my workplace,” she explained. “I have to make two separate trips in the morning, which doubles my fare.”
To cut costs, Lydia now walks her daughter to a nearby public school instead, despite being concerned about the quality of education. “It’s not what I dreamed for her,” she said with a sigh. “But dreams don’t pay for fuel.”
Transport Operators Under Pressure
Transport operators are also feeling the squeeze. Nana Baffour, who manages a fleet of taxis in Kumasi, says drivers are caught in a bind.
“Passengers complain about fare hikes, but the drivers are also struggling,” he said. “The cost of spare parts, engine oil, and tyres has gone up. Some of my drivers now sleep in their vehicles to save money.”
According to him, there’s a growing reluctance among young men to enter the taxi business. “They’d rather do Bolt or Uber, even if the earnings are unpredictable.”
Government Response: Too Little, Too Slow?
In April, the Ministry of Transport announced a ₵20 million subsidy package to help commercial transport operators. However, transport unions say the impact has been minimal.
“What we need is long-term reform — not handouts,” said Alhaji Mumin, National Organizer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU). He advocates for investments in public mass transport and subsidies on spare parts.
Still, for daily commuters like Lydia, policy debates mean little if they don’t translate to tangible relief.
Coping Mechanisms: Adapt or Sink
Anecdotally, many workers are turning to bicycles and motorcycles. Others are moving closer to work, even if it means relocating to smaller, more expensive inner-city apartments.
“I now live in a single room at Avenor just to be able to walk to my job at the print shop,” said George Owusu, a 33-year-old technician. “It’s not ideal, but I save over ₵200 a month.”
Some companies have responded by shifting to hybrid schedules, allowing staff to work from home twice a week. But this option is often limited to white-collar sectors.
Looking Ahead: A National Conversation
Experts say that unless Ghana finds a way to make transport more affordable, the country risks increasing inequality and stalling productivity.
“Transport is not a luxury,” Dr. Amankwah reiterated. “It’s a lifeline. And when it’s strained, the entire economy feels it.”
Meanwhile, Lydia continues to rise before dawn, clutching her purse and calculating the cost of every cedi. “Some days, I ask myself if it’s worth it,” she said. “But what choice do I have?”