The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, has expressed concern over the rising number of accidents involving tanker drivers, warning that the trend poses a serious risk to lives and investments in the petroleum sector.
Speaking during an industry engagement, Mr. Tamakloe revealed that the Authority has begun discussions with the Tanker Drivers Association and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to enforce stricter measures, including performance-based assessments before license renewals.
He questioned the judgment of tanker owners who entrust expensive assets to unqualified drivers, noting that acquiring a tanker can cost more than $200,000. “Why put such a huge investment in the hands of an inexperienced driver?” he asked.
Despite these safety concerns, Mr. Tamakloe assured the public that Ghana’s fuel supply remains stable. According to him, the country currently has about eight weeks of import cover for diesel and 6.8 weeks for petrol.
He also highlighted the impact of global geopolitical tensions on fuel prices, explaining that the cost of crude oil has surged significantly. “A metric ton of crude oil, which sold for nearly $700 before the conflict, is now over $1,300,” he said, questioning whether the increase has proportionately affected prices at the pumps.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), Dr. Riverson Oppong, disclosed that Ghana imported approximately 8.4 billion litres of petroleum products in 2025, representing a 15 percent increase compared to 2024.
Dr. Oppong added that nearly one billion litres of fuel were exported to neighboring Burkina Faso during the same period, marking a 25 percent rise and underscoring Ghana’s growing role as a fuel distribution hub in the sub-region.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
