Ghana’s reliance on imported petroleum products remained a major feature of trade in 2025, with diesel and petrol alone costing more than GH¢51 billion, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

The GSS 2025 Annual International Merchandise Trade Statistics Report revealed that diesel imported for the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) was the country’s most expensive import item, valued at GH¢28.46 billion and accounting for 11.2% of total imports.

Light oils, including petrol, ranked second at GH¢23.24 billion, representing 9.2% of imports.

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Combined, fuel imports reached GH¢51.7 billion, making petroleum products the largest component of Ghana’s import expenditure.

The figures highlight the ongoing challenge of reducing dependence on imported refined fuel despite efforts to strengthen domestic refining capacity.

Other major imports included used vehicles (GH¢9.33 billion), crude petroleum (GH¢5.78 billion), and cement clinkers (GH¢4.76 billion).

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Ghana’s top ten imported commodities accounted for 34.3% of total imports, with overall import spending hitting GH¢253.23 billion in 2025.

The report underscores the need to expand local production and refining capacity to cut reliance on foreign goods and preserve foreign exchange.

DR/SA