Kasapa FM, Agoo TV staff embark on hunger strike to demand reduction in transport fares

The staff of Accra-based Kasapa 102.5FM and Agoo TV subsidiaries of Excellence In Broadcasting(EIB) Network have embarked on a hunger strike to demand the reduction of transport fares by the various drivers’ unions.

According to the media establishment, they will be relentless in their push until transport fares go down.

A large number of Ghanaians have been calling on the various transport unions for a reduction in transport fares after the prices of petrol and diesel dropped at the pumps.

They are calling on the transport unions to do the needful as soon as practicable to ensure that the passenger is not always made to bear the brunt of fuel price increments but also made to enjoy relief whenever there is a reduction in prices.

But the Ghana Private Road Transport Union(GPRTU) has stated categorically that it has no intention of reducing transport fares following the recent reduction in fuel prices.

Speaking on Ghana Kasa show on Kasapa 102.5FM/Agoo TV, Tuesday, the Public Relations Officer of GPRTU, Abass Moro, said the recent small percentage in reduction of fuel prices does not attract a reduction in transport fares for now because prices of vehicle spare parts keep increasing.

He added, however, that should there be any increment in fuel prices, the transport union will increase transport fares.

Abass Moro stated that the GPRTU will only consider reducing transport fares if a litre of fuel is sold at GHC10.00.

However, the Business Manager of Kasapa 102.5FM/Agoo TV, Charles Nana Debrah speaking on the issue on Ghana Kasa show said as a responsible media organization, the latter cannot turn a deaf ear to the concerns of its listeners and viewers who keep it in business hence the need to champion the call for reduced transport fares.

“Once you are in business because of your listeners and viewers if they are laughing, you have to laugh with them. If they a crying, you have to cry with them so that they see that Kasapa FM and Agoo TV are their mouthpieces, especially for the vulnerable among them. Not all our listeners and viewers can pick up a phone and call the Transport Minister, and not all of them can go to the Parliament House to submit a petition. So we are representing our listeners and viewers and relaying whatever they will want the relevant authorities to hear.”

“We are embarking on a hunger strike and hope that by Monday we hear good news to the effect that transport fares have been reduced or are going to be reduced. But if we don’t hear anything from the Transport Unions, we will step up our efforts a notch higher and ensure that we get positive results very soon,” the Business Manager added.

A litre of petrol is sold at around Gh¢15.41 while diesel is sold at around Gh¢18.86 per litre.