Former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku, has criticised the government over the recent increase in fuel prices, questioning why the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy has not been reduced despite earlier promises by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to use the levy to cushion consumers.

Mr Awuku, in a statement today, said the latest fuel price increases have placed additional pressure on Ghanaians, who continue to bear the impact of rising petroleum costs.

He noted that the National Petroleum Authority’s (NPA) August 2026 price floors for petrol and diesel had increased significantly, with petrol selling at GH¢14.53 per litre, representing a 9.4 per cent rise, while diesel increased to GH¢16.97 per litre, an 18.3 per cent jump.

According to him, several Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) had already adjusted their prices, with some selling diesel above GH¢18 per litre.

Mr Awuku said while government may attribute the increases to developments on the international crude oil market, there were questions surrounding the effectiveness of the current pricing mechanism.

He argued that pump prices continued to rise even when global crude oil prices declined, citing the period when Brent crude prices fell from US$78 to US$71.90 but prices at the pumps remained high due to the NPA’s price floor system.

“Even COPEC has questioned whether this mechanism truly protects consumers,” he stated.

The former NLA boss said the situation raised concerns about commitments made by the NDC ahead of the 2024 general election, particularly promises relating to the use of the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy.

He recalled that the party’s Resetting Ghana Manifesto pledged to utilise the levy to cushion consumers during periods of fuel price shocks, stabilise the cedi and reduce the cost of living.

However, Mr Awuku said the government increased the levy by GH¢1 per litre in July 2025, a charge he noted consumers continue to pay despite ongoing increases in fuel prices.

“The more important question is this: What happened to the 2024 promises?” he asked.

He challenged the government to explain when consumers would begin to benefit from the relief measures promised during the election campaign, particularly if claims of progress in clearing energy sector debts were accurate.

“If government says it has made significant progress in clearing energy sector debt, then Ghanaians deserve to know: When will this levy be reduced and when will consumers begin to feel the relief that was promised?” he said.

Mr Awuku acknowledged that government could not directly control global crude oil prices but insisted that it had a responsibility to fulfil its commitments or provide clear explanations for any changes in policy.

“No one expects government to control global crude oil prices. But Ghanaians do expect it to honour its commitments or explain, openly and honestly, why those commitments can no longer be fulfilled,” he added.