Ghana first, our major fuel importers prioritise local supply over exports – CBOD

Major fuel importers have prioritised Ghana’s fuel needs over exports to neighbouring countries, the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) said.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Patrick Kwaku Ofori, said the major suppliers had maintained local deliveries and competed fairly throughout the crisis.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, he said serving Ghanaian consumers had come before pursuing export opportunities.

“Almost all the big guys who were leading on the various news that were published consistently have served, and they have competed fairly and served the Ghanaian public before even thinking about exports into our neighbouring countries.”

Dr Ofori assured consumers and oil marketing companies that fuel supplies would remain available. He said cargo arrangements would support deliveries through December and prevent the queues experienced elsewhere.

“And we can also assure the consuming public and our partners, the oil marketing companies, that supply will never be an issue.”

He attributed the continued availability of products to ethical business practices among CBOD members and awareness among consumers and oil marketing companies.

He said the Chamber also monitors its members to protect consumers from exploitation.

“We even self-regulate ourselves and ensure that nobody takes advantage of the consuming public.”

Dr Ofori said members had been transparent with the regulator. He said they also avoided raising prices because they needed money to import their next consignment.

He explained that once products were in the country and had been priced, suppliers could sell them to recover their money. That would allow them to pay their trading partners and the banks financing their imports.

His assurance places domestic supply at the centre of the Chamber’s response to the crisis, with major importers meeting Ghanaian demand before considering neighbouring markets.