The levy, introduced to support the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) in maintaining storage and distribution infrastructure, has quadrupled in just five years — rising from Ghc0.03 per litre in 2020 to Ghc0.12 per litre by August 2025.

During that time, BOST’s revenue from the levy shot up from Ghc211 million in 2020 to more than Ghc424 million by 2023, even as critics say the funds have been poorly managed.

“Spending on training, seminars, and conferences surged from Ghc3 million in 2020 to Ghc20 million in 2023, while the much-publicized Afram Plains pipeline project remains incomplete, with some imported pipes declared unfit for purpose.”

“At the same time, BOST has become a profitable business, posting billions of cedis in terminal and commercial revenues. “If other limited liability companies like TOR or ECG don’t receive free levies, why should BOST?” CEMSE asked.

The centre in a report warned that the levy has a direct impact on fuel prices and by extension, on transport costs, inflation, and household budgets.

“In a deregulated market where private players already handle 80% of storage and transport, CEMSE argues the margin is redundant and gives BOST an unfair advantage. Every extra pesewa added to fuel prices pushes up the cost of living. The BOST margin is no longer a safety net, it’s a hidden tax,” the group said, calling for its immediate removal.