Star Oil takes aim at founding members' permanent board seats as it returns to COMAC

Star Oil Ghana Limited is calling for an end to the permanent board seats held by three founding members of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC).

The company argues that the arrangement no longer reflects the realities of Ghana's downstream petroleum sector.

The demand is the centrepiece of a letter dated October 1, 2026, in which Star Oil also announced that it would rejoin the Chamber. The company had suspended its participation in January 2026 over concerns about how COMAC represented its members.

At issue is a provision in the Chamber's constitution that guarantees board representation to three oil marketing companies (OMCs) because they founded the association. In the letter, signed by Chief Executive Officer Philip Tieku and addressed to COMAC's CEO, Star Oil credits the founding companies with building the Chamber. However, it argues that guaranteeing board seats on historical status alone is out of step with a modern industry body.

"The downstream petroleum industry has changed considerably over the years. The relative size, market share, investment and contribution of individual OMCs have also evolved significantly," the company stated.

Star Oil contends that the current structure concentrates influence in a few hands and limits the chance for other members to take part in leading the Chamber. It also says some permanent board members do not consistently send their top decision-makers to board meetings. According to the company, this weakens decision-making and slows the Chamber's response to pressing industry issues.

As an alternative, the company proposes a transparent and democratic process for selecting board members, with seats subject to periodic renewal. It says this would boost participation, accountability and commitment across the membership.

The governance challenge comes alongside Star Oil's return to the fold. The company said consultations with OMCs and other stakeholders, together with appeals from fellow COMAC members, persuaded it to reconsider its exit. It added that the industry needs a strong collective voice to engage regulators, government and other stakeholders.

Star Oil said its return should be read as more than a resumption of membership and board representation. The company described it as a commitment to work with other members to make COMAC more representative, responsive and effective.

How the Chamber and its founding members respond to the proposal is likely to shape the next phase of the relationship.