The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) made a strong impression at the 9th Ghana Energy Awards held on Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, with its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Riverson Oppong, honoured as Energy Advocate of the Year. The prestigious event, themed “Repositioning the Energy Sector as a Pillar of National Development,” brought together policymakers, regulators, international partners, and leading industry stakeholders to celebrate excellence in Ghana’s energy sector.
The Ghana Energy Awards recognises top performers whose contributions drive innovation, sustainability and growth within the energy value chain. Dr. Oppong’s recognition follows a year of extensive reforms, advocacy, and leadership that have significantly shaped Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.
Honouring a Transformational Leader
Dr. Oppong was celebrated for what the awarding panel described as transformative leadership in the downstream petroleum industry. His strategic vision, operational excellence, and commitment to transparency have led to several impactful reforms.
Among his notable achievements is his leadership in transitioning the former Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMC) into the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), a move that strengthened the organisation’s credibility, visibility, and influence in national policy discourse.
He also led COMAC’s collaboration with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to revise Ghana’s gasoline standards in 2024, reducing manganese levels in fuel to address consumer complaints and align with international benchmarks.
Dr. Oppong further advocated major pricing reforms, including the introduction of floor prices to ensure market sustainability and the removal of the 2% retailer discount under price floor regulations. His campaign for the elimination of Marine Gas Oil (MGO) subsidies contributed to curbing adulteration and enhancing price transparency.
Driving Accountability and Safety Across the Sector
In a major industry-wide compliance initiative, Dr. Oppong spearheaded COMAC’s mystery shopping exercise across 191 petroleum retail outlets and 25 LPG plants. The initiative increased compliance levels to 79.51%, reduced safety-related incidents by 40%, and boosted reporting vigilance by 90%—providing regulators with credible data to enforce safety and operational standards.
He also authored several influential position papers on zonalization, petroleum pricing frameworks, and downstream regulatory reforms, offering clear pathways for improving efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness.
Advocacy Beyond Ghana’s Borders
Dr. Oppong’s impact extends beyond national boundaries. He founded the Ghana Downstream Dialogue, the country’s first multi-stakeholder platform for collective policymaking in the downstream sector, bringing together regulators, operators, financial institutions, and civil society.
At the continental level, as SPE Africa Regional Director, he founded the Africa Technology Conference (ATC 2025), attracting more than 500 global delegates to discuss innovation, energy transition, data science applications in oil and gas, and Africa’s role in global energy sustainability.
He is also leading preparations for the SPE Africa Geothermal Workshop, scheduled for July 20–21, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya, aimed at unlocking Africa’s geothermal potential and attracting investment into clean energy initiatives.
COMAC Also Wins Brand of the Year
In addition to Dr. Oppong’s personal accolade, COMAC was awarded Brand of the Year, reflecting the chamber’s enhanced visibility, strengthened advocacy work, and growing influence within the downstream petroleum sector.
A Testament to Leadership and Sector Impact
Dr. Oppong’s recognition as Energy Advocate of the Year underscores his dedication to championing reforms that support a stable, transparent, and sustainable energy sector. His leadership continues to reinforce COMAC’s mission of powering Ghana’s downstream future and safeguarding the industry’s long-term sustainability.
The achievements mark a defining moment for both Dr. Oppong and COMAC, further positioning the Chamber as a leading voice in Ghana’s energy landscape.
