COPEC urges government to strengthen energy resilience beyond fuel tax suspension

The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC) has urged government to take additional measures to strengthen the country’s energy resilience, even as it implements the suspension of some petroleum taxes.

According to COPEC, the impact of global disruptions—particularly tensions in the Middle East—will continue to affect oil production and refined product supply even if the conflict ends immediately.

Speaking on News Central on TV3 on Friday, COPEC Executive Director Duncan Amoah said the suspension of taxes provides temporary relief but does not address the broader structural challenges in the petroleum sector.

“Suspending the taxes is very good, but make provisions for further resilience because the war, even if it ends today, will still have pressure on finished products globally because refining has been compressed as we speak, and it is not likely they will be able to fix whatever has been broken down in the next three to four weeks. I think that BOST and TOR would have to be looked at again,” he said.

His comments follow a government announcement that Cabinet has directed the Finance and Energy Ministries to remove taxes and margins on petroleum products in the next pricing window.

Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu disclosed the decision after an emergency Cabinet meeting on April 9, explaining that the measure is intended to cushion consumers against rising fuel prices driven by global geopolitical tensions, including the US–Israel–Iran conflict.

He said the tax relief would initially run for four weeks before being reviewed, with further action to be taken depending on prevailing conditions.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu also announced that the Transport Ministry has been instructed to fast-track the deployment of 100 newly acquired Metro Mass Transit buses to ease congestion on major transport routes.

He added that additional batches of 100 buses are expected in August and November, bringing the total to 300, with the goal of easing pressure on commuters during peak hours.

According to him, government-operated buses will be required to maintain fares below those of private operators to provide relief to the public.

He further reiterated President John Dramani Mahama’s directive banning fuel allowances for ministers and senior government officials as part of efforts to reduce public expenditure and promote accountability.