NPA adjusts price floors for three petroleum products

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has revised the price floors for key petroleum products, lowering the minimum rates for petrol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) while increasing the benchmark for diesel. These adjustments, which take effect from November 2, 2026, establish the baseline prices that oil marketing companies (OMCs) and bulk oil distributors (BDCs) must adhere to when setting their retail rates for the second pricing window of the month.

According to the new directive, the petrol price floor has been reduced to GH₵15.39 per litre, down from the previous rate of GH₵16.09. Similarly, the floor for LPG has seen a decrease from GH₵13.89 to GH₵13.73 per kilogramme. In contrast, the price floor for diesel has been adjusted upward, rising from GH₵17.09 to GH₵17.41 per litre. The NPA implements these floors to maintain market stability and prevent predatory pricing or undercutting within the downstream petroleum sector.

The authority clarified that these floors represent the minimum pricing levels and do not constitute the final price paid by consumers at the pump. The ultimate retail price is determined by the individual OMCs and BDCs, who factor in their own premiums and profit margins. As these margins are not directly dictated by the NPA's floor adjustments, the actual cost of fuel will continue to vary across different filling stations nationwide based on the specific pricing strategies of the distributors.

This latest price review occurs against a backdrop of fluctuating international crude oil prices and a period of relative appreciation for the Ghana cedi. While the reduction in petrol and LPG floors may provide some relief, the total impact on the Ghanaian public will depend on how the competitive market responds. Industry observers will be monitoring whether the appreciation of the local currency and these floor reductions translate into lower transportation and manufacturing costs in the coming weeks.