Motorists and businesses should prepare to pay more for fuel after the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has announced an increase in the minimum prices for petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for the first pricing window of August.

The latest price adjustments indicate that fuel prices will continue to face upward pressure, with diesel recording the highest increase among the three petroleum products.

According to figures released by the NPA, the minimum price for petrol has been increased from GH¢13.28 per litre during the second pricing window of July to GH¢14.53 per litre for the first pricing window of August, representing an increase of GH¢1.25, or 9.4 percent.

Diesel recorded the biggest jump, with its minimum price rising from GH¢14.35 to GH¢16.97 per litre, an increase of GH¢2.62, marking 18.3 percent rise.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) also saw an increase, with the minimum price moving from GH¢10.19 to GH¢11.06 per kilogram, representing an increase of GH¢0.87, or 8.5 percent.

The NPA explained that the approved prices represent the minimum amounts Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and LPG Marketing Companies (LPGMCs) are allowed to charge during the pricing window.

However, consumers could pay more at the pumps because the prices do not include other industry charges, including marketers' margins and international trading premiums.

The latest adjustments come amid rising global crude oil prices and the continued depreciation of the cedi against the US dollar.

According to the Bank of Ghana's July 2026 Summary of Economic and Financial Data, the cedi had depreciated by 9.5 percent against the US dollar by the end of July, while Brent crude prices have also increased following renewed geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Iran.

The increase is expected to raise operating costs for businesses, particularly those in the transport, mining, construction, manufacturing and agricultural sectors that rely heavily on diesel.

With fuel prices expected to remain high, consumers may also experience increases in transport fares and the prices of goods and services as businesses pass on the additional cost to customers.

Recently, transport operators proposed a 30% increase in fares citing rising fuel prices, cost of maintenance fees and spare parts following the recent hike in the last pricing window.

However, following a meeting with government, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Samuel Amoah, said the unions are willing to engage the government further if no immediate measures are announced to cushion transport operators against the rising cost of petroleum products.

“The meeting was about the proposed transport fare increment before the increment of petroleum products and other components that we use to run our businesses. We explained things to the ministry, and they also gave us their word.Urban Transit

“Our proposal was for the government to try to see to it that fuel prices will come down, and they told us that they have heard us and are working to ensure fuel prices will drop.

“So there was a long deliberation, but we finally agreed that we will hold off on the increase, but then our own investigation proved that we will likely see another fuel price increase in the next pricing window.

“If it happens that the fuel price goes up again, we will still approach them because if it goes up again, it will be difficult for the drivers to contain the pressure.”

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has urged the government to consider reinstating the fuel price intervention introduced during the peak of the Middle East crisis, saying the measure helped cushion consumers and businesses against rising petroleum prices.

According to COPEC, the intervention provided relief to transport operators, motorists and businesses by reducing fuel costs.

The Chamber warned that with diesel prices approaching GH¢18 per litre again, any further increase could place additional pressure on transport operators and commuters.