The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has projected another increase in fuel prices, with petrol expected to sell at an average of GH¢16.26 per litre and diesel at GH¢19.07 per litre from Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The projected adjustment is expected to take effect during the second pricing window for September and would represent a further increase in the cost of petroleum products for motorists and other consumers.
According to COPEC, petrol is expected to rise by about 4.24% from the current average of GH¢15.60 per litre, while diesel could increase by approximately 10.23%, from GH¢17.30 to GH¢19.07 per litre.
COPEC attributed the projected increase largely to developments on the international petroleum market, particularly the sharp rise in crude oil prices.
International crude oil prices have crossed the US$100-per-barrel mark, creating renewed pressure on the cost of refined petroleum products imported into Ghana.
COPEC Executive Secretary, Duncan Amoah, had earlier warned that the increase in global crude prices is likely to filter through to the Ghanaian market during the second September pricing window.
The chamber has also pointed to higher market and importation premiums being faced by petroleum marketers as an additional factor likely to put upward pressure on pump prices.
Mr Amoah explained that movements in crude oil prices do not immediately translate into changes at Ghanaian fuel stations because the effect has to pass through the refining, importation and distribution chain.
The latest projection would mean petrol consumers could pay about 66 pesewas more per litre if the projected average price materialises.
For diesel users, the expected increase is significantly higher, at about GH¢1.77 per litre compared with the current average of GH¢17.30.
The increase in diesel prices could be particularly significant for commercial transport operators, businesses and other sectors that rely heavily on diesel-powered vehicles and machinery.
It could also create additional pressure on operating costs across the transport and logistics sectors, with possible implications for the prices of goods and services.
In anticipation of the increase, COPEC has appealed to the government to extend its fuel subsidy intervention into the second pricing window of September.
The chamber is calling for a GH¢1 per litre intervention on petrol and the continuation of the existing GH¢2 per litre diesel subsidy to cushion consumers from the impact of the expected increases.
COPEC argues that maintaining the intervention would help limit the immediate impact of international oil price movements on consumers while global petroleum prices remain elevated.
The projected increase comes after fuel prices were already adjusted upwards at the beginning of September.
COPEC had earlier projected petrol at GH¢16.21 per litre and diesel at GH¢17.61 per litre for the first September pricing window.
If the latest projections materialise, motorists and households will therefore face another round of higher fuel costs within the month.
The projected prices, however, are COPEC’s estimates. Final pump prices may vary among Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) depending on their pricing decisions and prevailing market conditions.
By 1960news.com
