Ghana’s Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE) has urged the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to impose sanctions on Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) that adjust petroleum prices within an ongoing pricing window in response to changes in international crude oil prices.
Executive Director Benjamin Nsiah said that petroleum price indicators are set for each pricing window and that OMCs and BDCs must adhere to the prices communicated to consumers, rather than making adjustments during the window. He warned that any upward price change by a BDC while a pricing window is still active would be contrary to the NPA’s regulation and illegal.
“If any BDC varies their prices upward because of recent price increment on the international market, that particular BDC is acting contrary to the price regulation and that is illegal,” Nsiah told the press. He added that the NPA must enforce its rules to the letter to prevent what he called “mid‑window price adjustments.”
Nsiah also cautioned OMCs against responding to international market developments by adjusting pump prices before the end of an approved pricing window. “If an OMC also decides to respond to what is happening on the international market and adjusts its ex‑pump price contrary to what has been published, that particular OMC is also acting illegal,” he said.
The CEMSE executive noted that while the recent surge in Brent crude to $100 a barrel is unlikely to affect prices in the first September pricing window, it could exert upward pressure on fuel prices in subsequent windows if crude prices remain elevated. He stressed that petroleum prices should remain guided by the indicators established by the NPA for the current window.
With geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalating and Brent crude hovering at the $100‑barrel mark, the CEMSE’s call comes as Ghana faces potential increases in refined petroleum costs and renewed pressure on domestic fuel prices in future windows.
