The government has suspended the GH¢1-per-litre Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy (D-Levy) on diesel for October and November 2026 as part of measures to cushion consumers against rising fuel prices.
Under the new arrangement, the government’s total intervention on diesel will remain at GH¢2 per litre, although the composition of the relief is changing.
The reduction in statutory margins, which previously accounted for GH¢2 per litre, will be reduced to GH¢1 per litre. The remaining GH¢1 will come from the temporary suspension of the D-Levy on diesel.
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This means motorists will continue to benefit from a combined GH¢2-per-litre intervention on diesel—GH¢1 through reduced statutory margins and another GH¢1 through the suspension of the D-Levy.
The decision comes amid projections of significant increases in petroleum prices during the first pricing window of October.
The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has projected a 5.21% increase in petrol prices and a 22.91% rise in diesel prices from Thursday, October 1, 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 29, and signed by its Executive Secretary, Duncan Amoah, COPEC attributed the expected increases largely to higher international petroleum prices and a marginal depreciation of the Ghana cedi against the US dollar.
COPEC projects the average retail price of petrol to increase from GH¢16.90 to GH¢17.78 per litre, while diesel is expected to rise from GH¢18.24 to GH¢22.42 per litre.
The projected increase in diesel prices comes at a time when transport operators have implemented an 8% increase in public transport fares, adding to concerns about the effect of higher fuel costs on commuters and businesses.
The government’s decision to maintain the GH¢2-per-litre intervention on diesel is therefore expected to absorb part of the projected increase in the price of the fuel.
However, instead of maintaining the previous reduction in statutory margins at GH¢2 per litre, the government will now split the intervention between a GH¢1 reduction in statutory margins and a GH¢1 suspension of the D-Levy.
The temporary suspension will apply specifically to diesel for October and November, after which the government’s intervention will be subject to further review.
The measure is aimed at providing short-term relief to motorists and commercial operators at a time of heightened pressure on petroleum prices and public transport costs.