GPRTU challenges new 21-day vehicle auction rule, seeks alternative to protect operators

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has mounted a formal challenge to a controversial provision in the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), which empowers authorities to auction vehicles abandoned at holding areas after just 21 days. The union argues the measure, while well-intentioned, could devastate commercial transport operators financially and calls for a revised approach.

Under the new regulations, vehicles removed from roadways for safety reasons can be sold at auction if owners fail to reclaim them within the three-week window. The GPRTU, which represents thousands of commercial transport operators across Ghana, contends this timeframe is unreasonable and does not account for logistical challenges owners may face in retrieving their vehicles.

The GPRTU's Position and Concerns

Samuel Amoah, Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, explained the union's stance during a Citi FM interview, emphasising that commercial vehicle owners would never intentionally abandon their vehicles on the road. "Nobody will intentionally decide to leave his vehicle on the road," he stated, arguing that the auctioning provision represents an excessive penalty for vehicle breakdown—an unavoidable occurrence in the transport industry.

The union does support the stricter immediate removal requirements introduced in the new regulations. Previously, operators had 30 minutes to remove vehicles broken down in urban areas and one hour on highways. The revised timeline now demands immediate removal, which the GPRTU acknowledges is necessary for road safety and traffic management. However, the union draws a firm line at auctioning as a consequence.

Amoah proposed an alternative mechanism: vehicle owners should be permitted to reclaim their vehicles by paying applicable towing and storage fees, similar to standard impound procedures. This approach, he argued, would achieve the regulatory objective of clearing roads while protecting transport operators from catastrophic financial losses.

Why It Matters for Ghana

This dispute reflects broader tensions in Ghana's transport sector between road safety objectives and the livelihoods of commercial operators. Ghana's roads have long struggled with congestion caused by broken-down vehicles, and the National Road Safety Authority's efforts to address this are understandable. However, the GPRTU's concerns highlight a practical implementation challenge.

For the average Ghanaian commuter, the regulations aim to improve traffic flow and safety. For the country's commercial transport industry—a significant employer and economic contributor—the 21-day auction provision represents a genuine threat. Many transport operators work on tight profit margins; the loss of a vehicle would be catastrophic for owner-operators and their families.

The dispute also underscores the importance of stakeholder consultation in regulatory design. The GPRTU's appeal for a second look at the auctioning clause suggests the regulations may not have adequately balanced road safety with industry viability during development. A compromise solution incorporating reasonable retrieval periods and transparent fee structures could serve both objectives effectively.

Next Steps

The GPRTU has publicly called on authorities to reconsider the auctioning provision and allow owners extended time to retrieve vehicles subject to payment of relevant charges. Whether regulatory bodies will revisit this aspect of L.I. 2519 remains to be seen, but the union's pressure indicates the provision will likely generate ongoing debate as implementation approaches.