The fuel retailer is back in COMAC after nine months away, but it wants the rule reserving board seats for founding members scrapped.
Star Oil Ghana Limited has ended its nine-month absence from the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), the industry body that speaks for fuel retailers in Ghana's downstream petroleum sector. But the company is returning with a demand: change how the Chamber picks its board.
The decision was set out in a letter dated 1 October 2026 and addressed to COMAC's Chief Executive Officer. The letter was signed by Star Oil Chief Executive Officer Philip Tieku, as reported by The Ghana Report.
Why it left, why it is back
Star Oil suspended its participation in COMAC in January 2026. At the time, the company said it was unhappy with how the Chamber was representing the interests of its members.
In the new letter, Star Oil said it changed its mind after talking to other oil marketing companies (OMCs) and industry stakeholders, and after appeals from fellow COMAC members asked it to come back.
The company framed the return as a practical one. It said the sector needs a strong, united body that can speak for OMCs when dealing with regulators, government and other players.
The sticking point: founding-member seats
COMAC's constitution gives three oil marketing companies permanent seats on the Chamber's board because they were founding members. Star Oil wants that removed.
The company said it recognises the role those firms played in setting up and building COMAC. Its argument is that history alone should no longer guarantee a seat at the leadership table.
"The downstream petroleum industry has changed considerably over the years," the company wrote, pointing to shifts in the size, market share and investment levels of individual OMCs.
Star Oil also raised a second concern. It said some of the permanent board members do not consistently send their most senior decision-makers to board meetings. In its view, that weakens the quality of decisions and slows the Chamber down when urgent industry matters come up.
What Star Oil is proposing
In place of permanent seats, the company wants a board selection process that is transparent, democratic and renewed from time to time. It argues this would push members to participate more, improve accountability and spread influence beyond a handful of companies.
Star Oil said its comeback should not be read simply as a resumption of membership and board representation, but as a commitment to help make COMAC more representative and more responsive.
Why it matters
Oil marketing companies are the firms that own and supply the fuel stations Ghanaians use every day. COMAC is their main voice in discussions with government and regulators on pricing, levies and supply issues.
For Ghanaians abroad watching fuel prices and energy policy at home, who controls that voice shapes how strongly the sector pushes back on decisions that feed into pump prices.
The source report does not indicate that COMAC has publicly responded to Star Oil's letter.
