A coalition of policy and energy-focused civil society organisations (CSOs) is pushing for immediate relief at the fuel pumps, proposing a GHC1.65 reduction in petroleum prices to ease the burden on households and businesses.
The proposal, put forward by IMANI Africa, COPEC Ghana, INSTEPR and Institute for Energy Security, comes at a time the government is contemplating a reduction in fuel prices.
The recommendation follows a directive by President John Dramani Mahama, after an emergency cabinet meeting, for the Ministries of Finance and Energy to review the petroleum pricing structure and explore ways to reduce taxes, margins, and levies.
The directive also comes at a time many Ghanaians are grappling with high transport fares, rising food prices, and general cost-of-living pressures following the Middle East Crisis.
A Targeted but Measured Relief
According to the CSOs, the proposed GHC1.65 cut should be applied to the current petroleum price build-up and maintained for two months, longer than the government’s initial four-week consideration.
The groups argue that this timeframe offers a more meaningful window of relief while allowing room for reassessment depending on global oil market trends.
“We propose a cumulative reduction of GHC1.65 from the current petroleum price build up which should last for a period of TWO months instead of the FOUR weeks proposed by the government. We can then review the interventions again as they relate to the global world order,” the CSOs joint statement proposed.
For everyday consumers, the impact could be immediate. Lower fuel prices typically translate into reduced transport costs, which in turn can help stabilise prices of goods and services. For small businesses especially, any drop in fuel costs can provide breathing space in an otherwise tight operating environment.
Balancing Relief with Sustainability
While calling for significant reductions, the CSOs were careful to strike a balance. They cautioned against overly aggressive cuts that could disrupt the petroleum sector’s operations or undermine its financial sustainability.
Instead, their proposal reflects what they describe as a “responsible middle ground”, one that acknowledges inefficiencies and excesses within the downstream petroleum sector, while avoiding shocks that could destabilise the industry.
Backed by Expected Oil Windfalls
Crucially, the groups argue that the timing is right. Ghana is expected to benefit from increased revenues from its upstream crude production and exports, creating what they describe as a “windfall” that can cushion the fiscal impact of the proposed reductions.
This, they say, gives government the space to offer temporary relief without significantly straining public finances.
The CSOs said, “This recommendation should not over burden the country’s fiscal space as we are also minded by the fact government will be getting a significant windfall from the country’s upstream crude production and exports within this given period.”
The Bottomline
As government weighs its options, the central question remains how to deliver meaningful relief quickly, without compromising long-term stability.
For now, the GHC1.65 proposal adds a strong, evidence-based voice to that conversation and puts the lived realities of Ghanaians at the centre of policy decisions.
