The government is set to temporarily suspend the GH¢1-per-litre Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy (D-Levy) on diesel for October and November 2026, in a move aimed at cushioning consumers against rising fuel prices in Ghana.
The intervention means motorists will continue to receive a total GH¢2 reduction per litre on diesel, although the source of the relief will change under the new arrangement.
Under the revised policy, the government will reduce the statutory margin intervention from GH¢2 to GH¢1 per litre, while the remaining GH¢1 per litre will come from the temporary suspension of the D-Levy.
As a result, diesel consumers will continue to benefit from a combined GH¢2-per-litre intervention, comprising GH¢1 from reduced statutory margins and another GH¢1 from the suspension of the Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy.
The decision comes at a time when petrol and diesel prices are expected to increase significantly in Ghana during the first pricing window of October.
The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has projected a 5.21% increase in petrol prices and a 22.91% rise in diesel prices effective Thursday, October 1, 2026.
According to COPEC, the projected fuel price increases are mainly driven by higher international crude oil and petroleum product prices, together with a marginal depreciation of the Ghana cedi against the US dollar.
COPEC Executive Secretary Duncan Amoah, in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 29, said the average retail price of petrol could increase from GH¢16.90 to GH¢17.78 per litre.
Diesel prices, meanwhile, are projected to rise from GH¢18.24 to GH¢22.42 per litre, representing a significant increase for motorists and businesses that depend heavily on diesel.
The expected rise in diesel and petrol prices has also contributed to an 8% increase in transport fares, adding further pressure to household and business expenses.
The government’s decision to maintain the GH¢2-per-litre diesel intervention is therefore expected to provide some relief to consumers as fuel prices rise.
However, instead of funding the full intervention through reduced statutory margins, the government will temporarily suspend the D-Levy on diesel to provide the additional GH¢1-per-litre relief.
The measure is expected to cushion motorists and other diesel consumers from part of the anticipated increase in fuel prices in Ghana during October and November.
Source: newsthemegh.com