The campaign to reform the governance structure of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) has taken a new turn, with the Chief Executive Officer of StarOil calling on 20 Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to support a constitutional amendment and requisition an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).
In a fresh appeal to industry players, the StarOil CEO said the campaign needs 20 OMCs, representing 10% of the membership, according to his statement, to sign a comprehensive resolution seeking changes to COMAC’s constitution and formally request an EGM to consider the proposed reforms.
“If you are an OMC MD willing to support this please get in touch ASAP,” he urged, making clear his opposition to permanent board seats.
“No to permanent board seats!” he declared, signalling that the campaign is targeting governance arrangements that could give some members a lasting advantage in the Chamber’s decision-making structure.
From Calls for Reform to a Formal Push
The latest appeal marks a move towards a formal process for pursuing the campaign, shifting the focus from criticism of COMAC’s governance arrangements to securing the member support needed to initiate constitutional change.
By seeking signatures from 20 OMCs, the campaign is attempting to build a sufficient coalition to requisition an EGM, where members could consider the proposed amendments.
An EGM would provide a formal platform for members to debate the proposed changes and determine whether COMAC’s constitution should be amended, subject to the applicable constitutional requirements.
However, the CEO’s appeal does not establish that the required signatures have been secured, that an EGM has been formally requisitioned or that any constitutional amendment has been approved.
The Fight Against Permanent Seat
At the heart of the campaign is the question of how COMAC should distribute board representation and exercise collective decision-making among its members.
The opposition to permanent board seats suggests concern about governance arrangements that have entrenched certain members’ positions, although the specific proposed amendments and the arguments of other stakeholders have not been detailed in the appeal.
For a chamber representing businesses across Ghana’s downstream petroleum market, the outcome could shape how members participate in leadership, influence industry advocacy and hold the organisation’s leadership accountable.
The immediate challenge for the campaign is to turn its call for reform into a signed resolution and a properly requisitioned EGM. Whether the proposed changes attract sufficient support will determine the next stage of a governance debate that could reshape how COMAC represents its members.
