Thousands of ride-hailing drivers across Ghana are set to withdraw their services from November 5, 2026, after their union declared an indefinite sit-down strike to protest what they describe as excessive service charges and worsening working conditions imposed by major platform operators.
The Digital Transport Workers Union (DTWU), which represents drivers working with platforms including Bolt, Yango, and Uber, announced the action on Tuesday, October 27, through its National Vice Chairman, Mahama Inusa. The union accuses the companies of unilaterally increasing service fees without consulting drivers, despite having initially framed the relationship as a partnership .
Failed Negotiations
According to Inusa, the union has made repeated attempts to engage the platform companies over the concerns, including visiting their offices, but the discussions have failed to produce any meaningful resolution.
The strike call represents an escalation of long-simmering tensions between drivers and ride-hailing operators in Ghana. Previous complaints from driver associations have centred on commission rates that drivers say are unsustainable given the costs of fuel, vehicle maintenance, data, and in many cases, weekly car rental payments .
The Vamijo Alternative
At the heart of the union’s strategy is a push toward Vamijo, a local ride-hailing platform that operates on a subscription model rather than a per-trip commission structure. Inusa urged all drivers to abandon the major apps during the strike and work exclusively through Vamijo.
“Don’t work on any app except Vamijo. With Vamijo, you can either pay a 10 per cent service charge or GH¢24 to work throughout the day, whether you complete 20 or 33 trips,” he said. “Unlike the other apps, where they can take 30% from just one trip, we are appealing to all drivers to take our destiny into our own hands” .
The Vamijo model allows drivers to pay a fixed daily fee of GH¢24 for unlimited access, or alternatively a 10 percent service charge, regardless of how many trips they complete. This contrasts sharply with the commission-based structures of the major platforms. Bolt, for instance, officially charges a 20 percent commission on the final price of each order in Ghana . Yango’s published driver fee is 18 percent . Driver groups have previously claimed that effective deductions can reach as high as 30 percent when all charges are factored in .
Vamijo, which positions itself as an indigenous alternative, has reportedly met with union executives and expressed willingness to address drivers’ concerns. The platform’s subscription model has been promoted as a way for drivers to retain a larger share of their earnings .
Calls for Government Intervention
Beyond the strike, the DTWU is pressing the government to intervene on two fronts. First, the union wants formal regulation of ride-hailing companies to ensure fairer working conditions and transparent fee structures. Second, it is appealing to the government to provide vehicles—including electric cars—through relevant transport unions, to help drivers operate without the crushing costs of acquiring and maintaining their own vehicles .
The demand for vehicle support reflects the economic reality facing many Ghanaian drivers, who must cover fuel, maintenance, insurance, and in some cases rental payments to car owners before seeing any profit. For drivers who do not own their vehicles, weekly payments to fleet operators can significantly erode take-home income .
Background of Driver Unrest
The planned strike is the latest chapter in a longer struggle by organised driver groups in Ghana over platform economics. In November 2025, the Association of Online Drivers issued a seven-day ultimatum to Uber, Bolt, and Yango demanding a reduction in the 30 percent commission it said was being deducted per trip. The association threatened an “Operation Offline” campaign during the festive season and warned it would petition President John Dramani Mahama if the companies failed to engage .
Earlier in 2026, drivers in the Western Region also staged a sit-down strike over similar grievances, with the Ghana Online Drivers Association calling for commission reductions and highlighting the cumulative burden of fuel, data, spare parts, and vehicle maintenance on drivers who use their own cars .
The DTWU’s November 5 action, if it proceeds, would mark a significant expansion of that unrest, targeting the three dominant platforms simultaneously and directing drivers toward a local alternative. Whether the strike materialises—and whether it forces the platforms to the negotiating table—will depend on driver solidarity and the union’s ability to maintain discipline among a workforce that depends on daily earnings to survive.
The major platforms have not publicly responded to the strike announcement. Bolt and Yango both maintain active driver operations in Ghana, while Uber’s presence in the market has continued despite periodic regulatory discussions with the Ministry of Transport .
