Indigenous Oil Marketing Company (OMC), Star Oil Limited, has suspended its membership of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) with immediate effect, deepening divisions within Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.

In a statement released on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Star Oil said the decision was triggered by disagreements over the National Petroleum Authority’s (NPA) fuel price floor policy, as well as recent social media exchanges involving other OMCs.

The company, which described itself as a long-standing member and the largest financial contributor to COMAC, expressed frustration that its opposition to the price floor policy has not been adequately represented by the Chamber.

According to Star Oil, the price floor distorts market signals by preventing movements in international oil prices and foreign exchange rates from being reflected in local pump prices. The company argued that this undermines competition and ultimately disadvantages consumers. It noted that similar arguments were previously accepted when Bulk Distribution Companies successfully pushed for the removal of their own price floor.

Star Oil stated that remaining within COMAC under the current circumstances poses reputational risks, while failing to provide a fair platform for its views.

“Star Oil therefore considers it prudent to suspend its membership until such a time that the Chamber demonstrates a clear commitment to balanced representation and fair communication of divergent member positions,” the statement said.

In Ghana’s fuel market, the price floor refers to the minimum ex-pump price set by the NPA, below which Oil Marketing Companies are not permitted to sell fuel. The policy is designed to protect smaller firms and ensure stability in the sector.

However, while the regulation guards against predatory pricing, critics—including Star Oil—maintain that it weakens competition and keeps fuel prices higher than they would be under a fully liberalised market.