A showdown is brewing between the government and players in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector as the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) has outrightly rejected the implementation of the newly imposed Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy (ESSDRL)—dubbed the “Dumsor Levy” by critics—scheduled to take effect today, Monday, June 9, 2025.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Ministry of Energy, COMAC expressed “utmost dismay and strong objection”to what it described as an “institutional ambush” by the government. The Chamber said its members “cannot and will not” comply with the directive, accusing the authorities of treating industry players with contempt and bypassing meaningful consultation.
The controversy erupted following a letter dated Friday, June 6—a public holiday—which was reportedly delivered to COMAC on the morning of Sunday, June 8, demanding immediate compliance with the new levy by the very next day.
COMAC did not mince words, saying the rushed directive “smacks of coercion rather than governance” and likened the move to a “military regime”. The Chamber also questioned the legality and operational feasibility of imposing such a significant fiscal change over a weekend, without due process or lead time.
The levy, which adds an estimated 1 Ghana cedi per litre of petroleum products, is part of the government’s plan to finance debts and shortfalls in the energy sector. But COMAC argues the new charge will balloon existing taxes and levies on fuel from 22% to 26% of the ex-pump price—posing a direct threat to industry competitiveness and consumer affordability.
COMAC’s frustration is compounded by what it describes as an empty engagement with the Minister for Energy and Green Transition last Thursday. The group claims that three key recommendations presented at the meeting were completely ignored, rendering the interaction nothing more than “ceremonial.”
In a statement, Dr. Riverson Oppong, CEO and Industry Coordinator of COMAC, stressed the unfair burden the directive places on Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), many of whom operate on a “cash and carry” basis and now face losses on unsold stock.
COMAC is now demanding a minimum two-week transition period, with a proposed new implementation date of June 16, 2025, to enable proper alignment within the sector. The group insists that anything less would be tantamount to fiscal chaos.
“We are industry stakeholders, not bystanders,” Dr. Oppong emphasized. “This must not be reduced to a technocratic rush to impress. We deserve better than Rambo-style directives in the middle of a weekend.”
The letter has been widely circulated to key government agencies, including the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ministry of Finance, and the National Petroleum Authority. As of press time, the government has yet to issue an official response.
Industry watchers warn that failure to resolve the impasse could lead to fuel supply disruptions and public backlash over price hikes at the pumps—at a time when the economy is already grappling with inflationary pressures and an energy sector in transition.
Whether the government backs down or doubles down, one thing is clear: the battle over the Dumsor Levy has just begun.
Below is the statement released by Chamber of Oil and Companies;
