Government, through the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD), has warned premix managers and oil marketing companies against price manipulation, under-delivery and diversion of the product.

Sector minister Emelia Arthur extended the caution last week during an official announcement of revised ex-pump prices for premix fuel nationwide.

Speaking to Landing Beach Committees (LBCs) at Shama in Western Region, Emelia Arthur said premix fuel remains the operational backbone of the country’s marine fishing sector, powering thousands of fishers’ canoes along the coastline.

Indeed, the downstream premix distribution chain has for decades been plagued by allegations of political interference, hoarding and illegal siphoning and black-market sales to commercial buyers outside the fisheries value chain.

Meanwhile, fisheries stakeholders have been raising concerns about illegalities in the premix fuel sector, including opaque distribution practices and revenue leakages at several landing beaches

Caution against price hikes beyond approved limit

Announcing the new pricing guidelines, the minister said the standard ‘yellow Kufuor gallon’ used in premix fuel sales must retail at GH¢176.40. However, Landing Beach Committees may charge up to GH¢180 only in situations where there are difficulties providing change.

“There should be no circumstance where the price exceeds GH¢180. Any violation of this directive will attract sanctions,” she warned.

The yellow ‘Kufuor gallon’, a commonly used calibrated container within fishing communities, serves as the benchmark measurement for premix fuel distribution among artisanal fishers.

According to her, each tanker delivering premix fuel is expected to discharge 13,500 litres. Committees have been directed not to endorse delivery waybills if the quantity supplied falls short of the approved volume.

“If less than 13,500 litres is discharged, the committee must immediately report the matter to the ministry so sanctions can be applied against the responsible oil marketing company,” she stated.

The minister also outlined the expected revenue structure under the premix fuel distribution system. She explained that the sale of a full 13,500-litre consignment should generate approximately GH¢84,500 in revenue.

After settling obligations to the supplying oil marketing company, estimated at about GH¢73,000, a surplus of roughly GH¢11,000 is expected.

Under the approved sharing arrangement, 47 percent of the surplus is allocated to Landing Beach Committees for operational activities while 53 percent is reserved for community development projects within fishing communities.

“There should never be a situation where community development receives less than GH¢5,000 from a single delivery,” the minister emphasised.

The ministry says ongoing reforms in the premix fuel subsector are aimed at improving transparency, restoring confidence in the management system and ensuring fair access to fuel supplies for genuine fishers while strengthening economic activity in coastal communities.

Since March this year, the National Premix Fuel Secretariat (NPFS) has been embarking on a nationwide accountability drive in collaboration with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to strengthen transparency and financial oversight in management of premix fuel revenues and the Community Development Fund across Ghana’s fishing communities.

The exercise builds on a pilot accountability programme conducted last year in selected coastal areas including Shama, Sekondi-Takoradi and other fishing districts, where the Secretariat worked closely with MMDCEs and district assemblies to review the management of premix fuel funds at the community level.