A breach of contract occurs when a party to a contact fails or refuses to perform that which is due from him under the contract or performs it defectively or incapacitate himself from performing his obligations under the contract.
In recent years, e-taxi services like Bolt, Yango, Uber and others have surged in popularity, overshadowing traditional taxi businesses in Ghana. However, a recurring issue has emerged regarding fare discrepancies, leading to disputes and even altercations between riders and drivers.
Frequent complaints arise when riders request a cab with a specific fare assigned to their trip, only for the fare to change unexpectedly at the end of the journey. This discrepancy has sparked arguments and fights, leaving both parties dissatisfied.
According to legal principles, once an offer is made and accepted, there should be no alteration to the agreed-upon price. This principle was underscored in the case NTHC v Yaa Antwi, where any revision of the price after acceptance could constitute a breach of contract.
Interestingly, in the United Kingdom, Uber does not adjust prices post-journey, even in the face of heavy traffic. This raises the pertinent question: why does Ghana differ in this regard?
The disparity between pricing policies in Ghana and the UK prompts scrutiny into the regulatory framework governing e-taxi services in Ghana. Addressing this issue may require closer examination of consumer protection laws and the enforcement thereof, to ensure fair and transparent pricing practices in the e-taxi industry.
By Edwin Kobina Coleman