The CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies, Dr Riverson Oppong, has rejected claims that the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has scrapped fuel discounting.

He insists the regulator has only corrected what he describes as a long-standing error.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Wednesday, he said the public narrative around the directive has been misleading and has overshadowed more important developments in the petroleum pricing space.

“Indeed, when I hear that NPA has scrapped discounting, I find that a bit alarming,” he said. “NPA has not scrapped. They have rectified an error which I believe is long overdue to be corrected.”

The clarification follows the NPA’s decision to halt discounted fuel pricing by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and LPG Marketing Companies (LPGMCs) under revised Petroleum Pricing Guidelines expected to take effect from March 16, 2026.

Under the directive, companies must maintain uniform pricing across their retail outlets. The price displayed at the pump must match the price submitted to the regulator.

The NPA has also warned that selective discounts at specific retail outlets will no longer be permitted.

But Dr Oppong believes the discussion has focused too narrowly on discounts, while ignoring broader market dynamics and upcoming price movements.

“I don’t think that when NPA introduced this discounting regime, it gained that popular stance as scrapping it has done. The whole country is talking about the discount scrapped amidst a more important issue with the price hike,” he said.

He suggested the next petroleum pricing window could reveal more significant developments for the industry and consumers.

“And let me say this, the next window will be very interesting. Look forward to that next window from the 16th of March. Ghana will know what real marketing is in terms of the oil industry or downstream is concerned,” he added.

His comments come as industry watchers and consumers closely monitor fuel price trends ahead of the next pricing window.

Asked whether his comments suggested pessimism about the outlook for consumers, Dr Oppong rejected that characterisation.

“Why? I think everybody who knows me knows that I’m very optimistic and factual,” he said.

The debate over the NPA directive has intensified in recent days, with some industry players and consumers expressing concern that the end of selective discounts could push pump prices higher.

However, Dr Oppong maintains the directive should not be interpreted as a ban on discounting but rather as a correction of a regulatory issue within the pricing framework.