The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) has strongly rejected the immediate implementation of the new Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy (ESSDRL), scheduled to take effect on Monday, June 9.
In a letter to the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), COMAC expressed “utmost dismay” over the abrupt notice, calling the directive unlawful, impractical, and disruptive to operations.
The Chamber condemned the timing and mode of communication, which it received at 8:00 am on Sunday, June 8—just a day before the levy is set to be enforced.
The letter, signed by COMAC, criticised the directive for being dated on a public holiday and delivered over the weekend, describing the move as coercive and smacks of a “military regime” approach.
“This approach is neither lawful nor operationally feasible… Issuing a backdated directive on a holiday and serving it on a weekend for next-day compliance borders on institutional ambush,” the statement read.
COMAC noted that it had already raised concerns during a June 5 meeting with the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, where it proposed a three-point plan to mitigate the impact of the new levy. However, the Chamber said the meeting felt “merely ceremonial,” as its proposals were ignored.
According to COMAC, the ESSDRL increase pushes the total tax and levy burden on petroleum products to 26% of the ex-pump price, up from 22%. The Chamber warned that this will undermine industry competitiveness, threaten business survival, and negatively impact consumers.
A major concern is the limited time given to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to recalibrate their systems and manage existing stock—particularly affecting cash-and-carry operators who had not budgeted for the new levy.
“We therefore wish to state unequivocally: COMAC and its members cannot and will not begin implementation of this levy from Monday, 9th June,” the letter emphasised.
The Chamber is demanding a minimum two-week transition, with a new implementation date of June 16, 2025, to allow the industry adequate time to adjust.
“We are industry stakeholders, not bystanders, and we deserve better than Rambo-style directives in the middle of a weekend,” the statement concluded.
