A coalition of policy and energy think tanks, including IMANI Africa, COPEC Ghana, INSTEPR and the Institute for Energy Security (IES), is calling on government to reduce petroleum prices by GH¢1.65, saying the adjustment would ease pressure on consumers grappling with rising living costs.
The groups say the proposal follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama, who instructed the Ministries of Energy and Finance to review the petroleum price build-up and assess possible reductions in taxes, margins and related levies.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the coalition stressed that the reduction should be implemented through a full review of the pricing structure rather than piecemeal interventions.
“We propose a cumulative reduction of GHC1.65 from the current petroleum price build-up,” the coalition said.
They further recommended that the relief package should run for a longer period than initially considered by government.
“This should last for a period of TWO months instead of the FOUR weeks proposed by the government.”
According to the groups, extending the duration of the intervention would offer more stable relief to households and businesses facing sustained economic pressure, while allowing room for a later reassessment based on global oil market trends.
They also argued that the proposed reduction would not significantly strain the country’s fiscal position, pointing to anticipated revenue inflows from crude oil exports during the period.
Fuel prices have remained a persistent concern for consumers, with ripple effects on transport fares and food inflation across the country.
Beyond the immediate relief proposal, the coalition urged broader reforms to Ghana’s petroleum pricing framework to prevent recurring price shocks and ensure long-term stability in the sector.
