NPA Strengthens “Stay Back, Stay Safe” Campaign in Eastern Region to Combat Fuel Siphoning

The National Petroleum Authority has stepped up its nationwide safety campaign in the Eastern Region, focusing on the dangers of fuel siphoning, ensuring petroleum product quality, and promoting the use of the 10-litre standard measuring can as a tool for consumer protection.

The initiative, named the “Stay Back, Stay Safe” Campaign, seeks to discourage the hazardous practice of siphoning fuel from overturned tanker accidents—a recurring activity that continues to endanger lives, property, and the environment.

A delegation led by the Director of Consumer Services, Eunice Budu-Nyarko, conducted an extensive public education and stakeholder engagement tour across the Eastern Region. Activities included media outreach, community engagement, and sensitization programs aimed at raising awareness about the risks associated with fuel siphoning.

The team participated in radio discussions on Bryt FM and Afeema FM in Koforidua, as well as Radio 1 in Bunso, where they highlighted the life-threatening consequences of fuel siphoning and urged the public to maintain a safe distance from accident scenes.

Beyond media campaigns, direct engagements were held with transport operators, traders, and the general public in key commercial towns including Suhum, Nsawam, Adawso, and the Koforidua township. These sessions covered the dangers of siphoning fuel as well as broader consumer protection issues, emphasizing personal safety and responsible behavior.

The campaign also targeted tertiary institutions in the region, such as Koforidua Technical University, All Nations University, and SDA College of Education. Students were warned against rushing to tanker accidents to siphon fuel or to record content for social media.

Addressing the students, Maureen Adwoa Duori cautioned that social media engagement should never take priority over safety. She explained that tanker fires can spread up to 400 metres within seconds, turning accident sites into potential death traps, and urged students to leave such areas immediately while notifying the Ghana National Fire Service.

Ing. Johnson Gbagbo Jnr. also addressed the importance of petroleum product quality in consumer protection. He explained that the NPA works with the Ghana Standards Authority to ensure fuel pumps at service stations are accurately calibrated. He encouraged consumers to use the 10-litre standard measuring can, locally known as “Ntease Kuruwa,” to verify fuel quantities when in doubt.

Additionally, he warned about domestic energy safety, highlighting the dangers of prolonged exposure to smoke from charcoal and firewood, which he compared to heavy cigarette smoking. He recommended Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a cleaner, safer alternative for household energy use.

The NPA’s intensified campaign in the Eastern Region underscores the Authority’s commitment to safeguarding lives, ensuring fair petroleum transactions, and promoting safe energy practices for all Ghanaians.