The Ghana Revenue Authority has postponed the rollout of a new fuel levy by one week after strong objections from oil marketing companies, who warned that the timing could exacerbate fuel price pressures and increase the burden on consumers.

The GRA had initially planned to implement the GHC1-per-litre Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy on Monday, June 9. But following what the GRA described as “cordial” discussions with the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), the agency confirmed a new effective date of June 16.

“The Association has concerns with the 9 June implementation date,” the GRA said in a statement. “We have discussed with their leadership in the spirit of cordiality and partnership and have agreed a new start date of 16 June.”

The levy is part of the government’s broader efforts to address the energy sector’s growing debt stock. However, industry players argue that consultations were insufficient and that the hike risks further destabilizing Ghana’s volatile petroleum downstream sector.

Under the updated structure, levies will rise across most petroleum products:

• Super Petrol: GHC0.95 to GHC1.95 per litre
• Diesel and Marine Gas Oil (Foreign): GHC0.93 to GHC1.93
• Marine Gas Oil (Local): GHC0.03 to GHC0.23
• Residual Fuel Oil (RFO): GHC0.04 to GHC0.24
• Partially Refined Oil (Naphtha): GHC0.95 to GHC1.95
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) remains unchanged at GHC0.73

The new rates will apply to all petroleum products not lifted before June 16, 2025.

The GRA outlined transitional arrangements: products lifted by Petroleum Product Marketing Companies (PPMCs) prior to June 16 will continue to attract the old levy rates. However, “cash-and-carry” transactions where products are lifted on or after June 1 will fall under the new regime.

Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong signed the directive, emphasizing that compliance will be enforced at all ports and fuel distribution points.

The delay underscores mounting tensions between regulators and industry over how best to balance fiscal consolidation efforts with market stability, particularly in a sector already exposed to currency volatility and fluctuating global oil prices.

Source:TheDotNews