Ghanaian motorists and commercial transport operators have received a major festive boost as several leading Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) across the country announced a second round of fuel price reductions for December.
The price cuts, which took effect today, Friday, December 19, 2025, come at a time when travel demand is surging ahead of the Christmas season.
However, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has coupled the relief with a stern warning, cautioning fuel retailers against hoarding, adulteration and other illegal practices.
According to the regulator, any operator found creating artificial scarcity through hoarding or engaging in the sale of substandard petroleum products during the high-demand festive period will face immediate prosecution and possible jail terms.
Star Oil Leads Fresh Price Cuts
Market leader Star Oil has set the pace with some of the most competitive reductions, undercutting several international competitors to ease the burden on consumers.
The company has reduced the price of petrol to GH¢11.35 per litre from GH¢11.97, while diesel now sells at GH¢12.45 per litre.
In a further move to capture the festive travel rush, Star Oil announced deeper discounts at selected outlets nationwide.
“Selected Star Oil outlets are offering additional reductions, with petrol selling at GH¢10.97 per litre and diesel at GH¢11.79 per litre,” the company said.
GOIL and TotalEnergies Follow Suit
State-owned GOIL has also adjusted its prices, with petrol now retailing at GH¢11.99 per litre and diesel at GH¢12.94 per litre. GOIL’s premium Super XP 95 is selling at GH¢14.95 per litre.
International oil major TotalEnergies has likewise reduced prices, with petrol now selling at GH¢12.50 per litre, down from GH¢12.69, while diesel has dropped from GH¢13.22 to GH¢12.99 per litre.
Star Oil officials attributed the price reductions to the relative stability of the cedi and declining international petroleum product prices, which have lowered landing costs for bulk distributors.
NPA Warns of Jail Terms for Violators
While the price cuts have been welcomed by consumers, the government has intensified enforcement of the National Petroleum Authority Act, 2005 (Act 694).
Industry sources note that price reductions often tempt some unscrupulous operators to hoard fuel or mix quality products with cheaper, adulterated alternatives to maximise profits.
The NPA has warned that under Section 31 of Act 694, individuals or companies found guilty of fuel smuggling, adulteration or the illegal sale of petroleum products face jail terms of between 5 and 10 years, in addition to heavy financial penalties.
Hoarding and Price Gouging: Hoarding fuel to exploit future price movements is a criminal offence under emergency regulations.
Adulteration: Diluting or tampering with fuel attracts a minimum two-year jail term for first-time offenders.
The Authority has deployed monitoring teams nationwide to ensure the new prices are reflected at the pumps and that fuel quality is not compromised.
Festive Economic Impact
Economists believe the fuel price reductions could help stabilise transport fares, which typically rise sharply during the third week of December.
By lowering operational costs for commercial drivers, the development is expected to boost consumer spending across other sectors of the economy.
With inflation recently easing to 8.0% in October, analysts say stability in the petroleum sector will remain a critical pillar of Ghana’s 2026 “Reset” economic agenda.
Table: Current Pump Prices (Dec 19, 2025)
| OMC | Petrol (GH¢) | Diesel (GH¢) |
| Star Oil (Standard) | 11.35 | 12.45 |
| Star Oil (Discount) | 10.97 | 11.79 |
| GOIL | 11.99 | 12.94 |
| TotalEnergies | 12.50 | 12.99 |
