File photo of a fuel station

Ghana’s Oil Marketing Companies say they won’t comply with the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) directive to implement the new Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy (ESSDRL) starting Monday, June 9,2025.

In a strongly worded letter to the GRA, the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) slammed the sudden rollout—announced over a long weekend with less than 48 hours’ notice—as “neither lawful nor operationally feasible.”

The group likened the directive to “institutional ambush” and accused the government of using “coercion” reminiscent of a military regime.

“This Rambo-style approach to tax implementation is unacceptable,” the letter stated.

COMAC revealed that it had met with the Minister for Energy and Green Transition on June 5 and proposed a phased rollout, but its input was ignored.

The chamber warned that the new levy, which raises the total tax load at the pump to 26%, threatens the survival of fuel businesses and could hurt consumers.

Given the short notice, especially for cash-based operators, COMAC says its members won’t implement the levy and are demanding at least two weeks to transition—proposing a new start date of June 16.

This standoff adds fuel to an already heated debate over the rising cost of fuel and government fiscal policies.