Gas tanker drivers who embarked on a strike last week resulting in a shortage of gas in some areas in Ghana have called off their strike.

This is expected to lead to an increase in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply in various areas this week.

Parts of the Greater Accra, Western and Central Regions were hit by an acute shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

The situation left consumers who depend on LPG for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes stranded.

The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations held a crunch meeting with the leadership of the striking drivers at the weekend.

Members of the Gas Tanker Drivers Union laid down their tools on October 29, 2020, thus causing a nationwide shortage of LPG at the various filling stations.

In a press release dated Sunday, November 1, 2020, signed by the leadership of the General Transport Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union (GTPCWU), Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union (GNPTDU), Gas Tanker Drivers Union (GTDU) and the Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Mr Bright Wireko-Brobby, the drivers announced their resumption of duty.

"Following a sit-down strike by members of the Gas Tanker Drivers Union (GTDU) from 29th October 2020, an emergency meeting was held between the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR) under the directive of the Minister on one hand and the Ghana Transport Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union (GTPCWU) of GTUC, Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union (GNPTDU), Liquified Petroleum Gas Marketing Companies (LPGMC), Ghana LPG Operators Association (GLiPGOA) and Oil Marketing Companies of Liquified Petroleum Gas (OMCLPG) on the other hand on Sunday, 1st November, 2020 to resolve the impasse," the press release announcing the calling off of the strike said.

"The Ministry assures the general public that the drivers have resumed duty with immediate effect as government takes steps to resolve the matter with all the urgency that it deserves," it added.

The Minister expressed gratitude to the workers for accepting to go back to work and urged all stakeholders to stay calm until the matter is conclusively resolved "in the shortest possible time."