The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, has disclosed plans to draft a comprehensive downstream law to regulate key areas such as refinery operations, distribution, pricing and marketing of petroleum products.
He also announced a holistic review of the petroleum downstream to make the sector more viable, efficient and sustainable.
He made the announcement when he delivered the keynote address at the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) maiden Downstream Dialogue 2025 on Tuesday in Accra.
The Minister stated that the nation’s energy needs continue to rise in a deregulated downstream market but structural inefficiencies, regulatory and fiscal challenges as well as market limits within the value chain are frequently highlighted.
He noted that these challenges result in higher fuel prices at the pump at the expense of the consumer.
“It is therefore imperative that we look at innovative reforms that will enhance the overall sector performance and lead to sustained fuel supply at affordable and more stable prices for consumers while contributing immensely to the economic growth of the country,” he added.
Mr Jinapor asserted that Ghana’s petroleum downstream industry has been a critical backbone of the nation’s energy landscape, with significant increases in petroleum consumption from the year 2000 to 2023.
He called for an effective and efficient Petroleum Downstream Sector to propel the nation’s economic growth and assured COMAC of the government’s commitment to extensively consult, and collaborate with stakeholders in the sector agencies to improve service delivery in the petroleum downstream sector.
He called for cooperation and support from industry players to introduce interventions that would result in improved fuel security, improved financial performance and regulatory oversight of the sector.
The two-day event, organised by the Chamber of Oil Marking Companies (COMAC), brought together key stakeholders in the downstream petroleum sector to discuss pertinent issues and develop actionable strategies for growth and sustainability. It is under the theme, Ghana’s Downstream Oil and Gas Sector: Challenges and Opportunities.
