NPA Says Diesel Relief Will Keep Prices Below GH¢20 in October’s First Pricing Window

The National Petroleum Authority is promising diesel will stay below GH¢20 a litre in this month’s first pricing window — stepping in to head off a projected jump that would have pushed costs near GH¢22.

The relief hinges on two moves: a temporary freeze on the GH¢1-per-litre D-Levy on diesel, plus commitments from Sentuo Oil Refinery and Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to hold their supply prices steady for bulk distributors.

The package was confirmed by the NPA after an emergency meeting between government and fuel sector stakeholders yesterday, October 1. It’s important to note: the below-GH¢20 figure is the authority’s targeted expectation, not a guaranteed fixed price at every pump across the country.

Sharp rise was forecast

Before this deal, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) had warned average diesel costs could surge from GH¢18.24 to GH¢22.42 — a 22.91% leap. COPEC pinned the forecast on climbing global crude prices and a slight weakening of the cedi against the US dollar. Petrol was also set to go up, though by a smaller margin. Those numbers were projections, not confirmed retail rates.

Refineries hold line; levy paused

Under the agreement, both Sentuo and TOR will keep charging bulk firms the same rates they did in the last pricing period — designed to stop bigger increases flowing down to drivers. The government is also suspending the GH¢1-per-litre Energy Sector levy, widely known as the D-Levy, for the month. The NPA hasn’t ruled out reinstating the charge later, saying it will review based on market trends — so the break is temporary, not permanent.

What drivers will actually pay

Major oil marketing companies have signalled they’ll likely keep prices close to current levels — but don’t expect every station to match. NPA’s chief executive told 3News rates could land around GH¢20 or GH¢20.90 in places, yet the key point: the feared GH¢22 level will be avoided. Crucially, this is not a nationwide cap or a single uniform price — individual outlets still set their own figures.

What it means for your pocket

At GH¢19.90 a litre, filling up 50 litres costs GH¢995. At the forecast GH¢22, that same tank would run to GH¢1,100 — a saving of GH¢105. That’s an illustration of what’s at stake, not a promise that every driver will pay GH¢19.90. For transport operators, those pennies per litre add up fast — but whether fares come down is a separate decision, not part of this deal.

Relief fragile, tied to markets

The NPA cautions the help is fragile. Ghana still imports most of its fuel, so what happens on global markets and with the cedi’s exchange rate will decide whether these measures hold. Government will keep monitoring costs and talking to industry — but the real test comes at the pump: how much you actually pay when you pull up to the bowser is what counts.