The CEO of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Dr Patrick Ofori, has called on government to ensure that proceeds from the GHC1 fuel levy are channeled directly into improving critical road networks that support the downstream petroleum sector.
Dr Patrick Ofori is urging the government to prioritise investment in deteriorating roads that are essential to fuel distribution across Ghana.
Speaking on Business Focus, Dr Ofori said his key expectation for the upcoming mid-year budget review is a clear commitment to allocate funds from the newly proposed GHC1 fuel levy to critical downstream infrastructure, particularly road networks linking depots and discharge facilities nationwide.
“These roads are in a deplorable state,” he noted, stressing that the efficiency of fuel supply and safety of transporters depend heavily on the quality of these routes. “We need a strong assurance that at least with the introduction of the one-cedi levy, some form of investment will go into the downstream, especially the road network,” he added.
The GHS1 levy, aimed at shoring up revenue in the face of fiscal pressures, has sparked debate among stakeholders, with calls for transparency in how the funds will be used. For the petroleum industry, the condition of access roads remains a persistent bottleneck, impacting delivery times and raising operational costs.
The mid-year budget review is expected to be presented to Parliament on the 24th of July 2025.
