CSOs Propose GH¢1.65 Per Litre Reduction in Fuel Prices to Ease Economic Pressures
A coalition of civil society and policy think tanks has proposed a GH¢1.65 reduction in petroleum prices, urging government to implement the measure over a two-month period to cushion consumers against prevailing economic pressures.
In a joint press statement issued on April 14, 2026, IMANI Africa, COPEC Ghana, INSTERPR and the Institute for Energy Security (IES) indicated that the proposed relief follows recent directives by President John Mahama for a review of the petroleum price build-up.
According to the groups, while there is broad consensus on the need for price relief, such interventions must be carefully calibrated to avoid undermining the operational sustainability of the downstream petroleum sector.
Following consultations, the policy groups recommended targeted reductions across selected taxes, levies and margins within the price build-up framework. Key proposals include a 50 percent cut in the Energy Fund Levy and Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF), as well as reductions in the Road Fund Levy, Special Petroleum Tax, Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) margin, and fuel marking margin.
Cumulatively, these adjustments are expected to deliver a GH¢1.65 per litre reduction in fuel prices.
The groups further argued that extending the relief period to two months—beyond the four-week window earlier suggested by government—would provide more meaningful support to households and businesses navigating current economic uncertainties.
They also maintained that the proposed intervention would not significantly strain the country’s fiscal position, citing anticipated windfalls from upstream crude oil production and exports within the period under consideration.
Beyond the immediate relief measures, the institutions called for structural reforms to address persistent fuel price volatility. These include a comprehensive rationalisation of petroleum taxes and levies, the establishment of a strategic fuel reserve fund, and renewed investment in domestic refining capacity, particularly the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).
The groups stressed that such long-term interventions are critical to ensuring price stability and reducing Ghana’s vulnerability to external shocks in the global energy market.
