The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) has raised concerns over the growing trend of unregulated fuel reselling across parts of the Central Region after a recent “mystery shopping” exercise conducted by its team. The operation, carried out across several retail outlets, revealed that some individuals are openly selling fuel in gallons and bottles without regulatory oversight.
COMAC’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Riverson Oppong, noted that the group will soon engage the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to determine whether any policy permits such activities and to push for appropriate regulatory action. He highlighted the presence of an advanced form of the illegal “gaogao” trade, where individuals buy fuel from filling stations, store it, and resell it in small quantities, especially around fishing communities.
During the tour, COMAC also found that although compliance levels among fuel stations were generally high, the Central Region’s petroleum market remains sluggish compared to other regions. Dr. Oppong explained that the region’s middle location between the Western, Ashanti, and Greater Accra regions leads many motorists to refuel elsewhere, creating skewed competition among local stations.
He pointed out that some stations are adopting creative strategies to survive the slow market, including offering free Friday breakfasts, selling food on credit, and providing spacious rest areas for heavy-duty trucks to attract steady patronage. COMAC’s monitoring team also confirmed that about 85 percent of inspected stations complied with required safety standards and fuel quantity accuracy.
The Chamber says it will continue its nationwide monitoring programme to strengthen operational compliance, ensure fair competition, and alert regulators to emerging challenges within Ghana’s petroleum retail sector.