Government has decided to suspend the GH¢1-per-litre Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy (D-Levy) on diesel for October and November 2026.
The suspension keeps government’s total cushion on diesel at GH¢2 per litre, but changes how that cushion is applied.
Previously, the GH¢2 was delivered entirely through a cut in statutory margins. Under the revised approach, only GH¢1 will come from reduced margins, with the other GH¢1 coming from the D-Levy suspension.
Motorists will therefore still get GH¢2 relief at the pump. This comes at a time when fuel prices are expected to go up sharply in the first pricing window of October.
The intervention comes as the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) warns of major price increases.
COPEC, in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 29, and signed by its Executive Secretary, Duncan Amoah, has projected petrol to go up by 5.21% and diesel by 22.91% effective today, October 1.
According to the Chamber, the increase is driven by rising international petroleum prices and the marginal depreciation of the cedi against the dollar.
It has projected petrol to move from GH¢16.90 to GH¢17.78 per litre, while diesel is expected to jump from GH¢18.24 to GH¢22.42 per litre.
The expected hike has already pushed transport fares up by 8%, with many commercial transport operators charging between 30% and 40% instead of the approved 8% by the government.
Government says the continued GH¢2 intervention will help cushion consumers, even as its funding source shifts from margins to the temporary D-Levy suspension.
