The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) has cautioned Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) against artificially inflating fuel prices, emphasizing that such actions violate Ghana’s petroleum pricing policy.

Dr. Riverson Oppong, Executive Secretary of COMAC, said certain practices within the downstream petroleum sector—including artificial product hauling and preferential selling—can distort fuel prices and negatively impact consumers.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, March 9, Dr. Oppong stressed that any fuel price adjustments must align with the official pricing framework rather than speculative actions by market players.

He warned that attempts to manipulate supply or pricing could undermine government efforts to protect consumers from sudden fuel price shocks.

“We operate a two-week pricing window. This week, the window ends on Wednesday, and the selling window will start on March 16. All imported products were brought in prior to the conflict in the Middle East, so any BDCs increasing prices to OMCs at this stage is very worrying,” he said.

Dr. Oppong noted that while COMAC had projected a two to three percent increase in fuel prices even before recent geopolitical tensions, current increases—from seven to nine percent within a selling window—are excessive and unacceptable.

“The pricing window for March had already been set before recent developments. Any artificial hauling of products, preferential selling, or speculative price hikes are not organic and contravene the country’s pricing policy. We need to be vigilant,” he added.

He explained that official price adjustments based on global developments and the pricing framework would take effect from March 16, when the next pricing window begins.

“If the market fails to adhere to the established policy, the government may intervene, including adjusting taxes, but BDCs could still create challenges for consumers,” Dr. Oppong warned.

The statement highlights COMAC’s commitment to ensuring fair pricing practices and protecting Ghanaian consumers amid global oil market uncertainties.