Preliminary investigations by anti-corruption and civil advocacy group the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) has revealed a syndicate of 9 oil marketing companies (OMCs) which are at the center of the marine gas oil (MGO) smuggling business.

This was revealed in a statement dated Wednesday, February 12, 2025, signed by Mensah Thompson, Executive Director, ASEPA.

“These OMCs divert MGO products which have been absolved of all the taxes by government (to reduce the cost of fishing for our fisher folks) to their OMCs and sell at commercial prices with the tax component,” ASEPA explained.

“The tax component of GHC2.39 is collected at the full benefit of these smugglers.”

ASEPA said, “In 2023 a total of 83,690,000 liters of MGO was smuggled by these OMCs, leading to a total tax evasion of over GHC200 million and 2024 about 139millionotres of MGO was diverted leading to a tax evasion of over GHC300 million.

“A full list of the OMC would be published and sent to the OSP for further investigations, prosecution and retrieval of these revenues from the State,” ASEPA announced.

“All NPA and GRA officials involved would also be added to the list for the full perusal of the OSP.”