A coalition of policy and energy think tanks is calling on government to reduce petroleum prices by GH₵1.65, arguing that the adjustment would provide immediate relief to consumers facing rising living costs.

The proposal was jointly made by IMANI Africa, COPEC Ghana, INSTEPR, and Institute for Energy Security following a directive from President John Dramani Mahama instructing the Ministries of Energy and Finance to review the petroleum price build-up and recommend possible reductions in taxes, margins, and levies.

In a statement dated Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the groups said the reduction should come from a full restructuring of the petroleum price build-up rather than temporary or ad hoc measures.

“We propose a cumulative reduction of GH₵1.65 from the current petroleum price build-up,” the coalition stated.

They further recommended that the intervention period be extended to two months instead of the four weeks proposed by government, arguing that this would provide more stable relief for households and businesses amid ongoing economic pressures.

According to the coalition, a longer adjustment window would help cushion consumers during what they described as a period of uncertainty, while still allowing room for review based on global market developments.

The groups also argued that the proposed reduction would not significantly disrupt government finances, citing expected revenue gains from crude oil exports during the period under consideration.

Fuel prices have remained a major concern for consumers, contributing significantly to transport costs and food inflation across the country.

The coalition stressed that while immediate relief is necessary, it should be accompanied by broader reforms to Ghana’s petroleum pricing framework to prevent recurring price shocks in the future.