NPA Marks 2026 Consumer Week with Focus on Fuel Safety and Consumer Confidence

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has climaxed its 2026 Consumer Week celebration with a renewed call for stronger safety measures across Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector to protect consumers and build public confidence.

The event, held on Thursday at Kasoa Ofaakor Park in the Central Region, was organised under the theme, “Safe Downstream, Confident Consumers.”

As part of the celebration, the Chief Executive of the NPA, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, Esq., announced that the Authority’s Governing Board had approved the Consumer and Public Complaints Procedure Guidelines.

The guidelines are expected to provide a framework for handling complaints from consumers and members of the public, although details of the procedures were not outlined in the address.

Mr. Tameklo also cautioned members of the public against rushing to scenes of fuel tanker accidents to siphon petroleum products, warning that the practice could result in serious injuries or loss of life.

He explained that fuel spills can create dangerous conditions, with the risk of explosions posing a major threat to people who gather around accident scenes.

The NPA Chief Executive further stressed that siphoning fuel is illegal and warned that individuals involved in the practice could face the consequences under the law.

In a keynote address delivered on his behalf, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, acknowledged that consumers had faced a difficult year at the fuel pumps.

He attributed the pressure on petroleum prices to developments in the international market, including conflict in the Middle East, disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and a slight depreciation of the cedi during the third quarter.

The Minister said the government absorbed GH¢2 per litre of the diesel price in August and extended the relief measure into September to cushion consumers against rising costs.

He also noted that the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and Sentuo Oil had supplied petroleum products to marketers at previous prices when a sharp increase in fuel prices was anticipated in October.

For her part, the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor, said consumer confidence in the petroleum sector must be built on safety.

Her remarks reinforced the need to prioritise the protection of consumers and the public throughout the downstream petroleum value chain.

The celebration also featured musical performances by Ghanaian music duo DopeNation and gospel artiste Perez Muzik, who entertained participants with their popular songs.

The event was further enlivened by a dancing competition involving students, adding an entertainment component to the consumer education and safety-focused programme.

The NPA’s 2026 Consumer Week celebration highlighted the importance of public awareness, effective complaint-handling mechanisms and safety practices in strengthening confidence in Ghana’s petroleum downstream sector.