Diesel prices could have risen to about GH¢28 per litre at fuel stations if the government had not intervened to absorb part of the increase in international petroleum prices, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has said.
Mr Tameklo said the government has so far committed close to GH¢1 billion to cushion consumers from the impact of rising global fuel prices.
Speaking on TV3’s The KeyPoints on Saturday, September 19, 2026, he said the intervention had prevented the full increase in international fuel costs from being transferred to motorists.
“But for the intervention from government, a litre of diesel would have been selling within the region of GH¢28 per litre,” he said.
International prices drive pressure
Mr Tameklo attributed the sharp increase in domestic fuel prices largely to the rise in Free On Board (FOB) prices on the international market.
He said the price of a metric tonne of diesel had increased from about US$794 in February 2026 to US$1,519, representing almost a doubling of the international cost.
According to him, geopolitical tensions, including the US-Israel conflict with Iran, as well as higher supplier premiums, insurance and crew costs associated with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, have contributed to the increase.
He said without government intervention, the higher international costs would have been reflected more directly in prices at the pumps.
“That jump would have flowed directly to the pumps if government had not stepped in,” he said.
GH¢2-per-litre intervention on diesel
The NPA CEO said the government is currently providing a GH¢2-per-litre intervention on diesel as part of measures to shield consumers from the full impact of rising international prices.
The intervention has helped keep diesel prices below GH¢20 per litre at several fuel stations, despite the increases in global petroleum costs.
Mr Tameklo explained that the support translates into GH¢20 for a motorist who purchases 10 litres of diesel.
He said the government’s intervention was intended to absorb part of the increase rather than allowing the entire cost to be passed on to consumers.
The comments come amid renewed pressure on fuel prices, with the NPA’s second September pricing window setting the minimum diesel price at GH¢16.77 per litre, while some Oil Marketing Companies have adjusted pump prices above that level.
By:Rachael Djabakie