What looks like an opportunity can become a tragedy in seconds - Jinapor tells public to stay away from fuel tanker accident scenes

The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, has urged the public to stay away from fuel tanker accident scenes, warning that attempts to collect spilled petroleum products could lead to fires, explosions, serious injuries and loss of life.

He cautioned that what some people may consider an opportunity to obtain free fuel could quickly turn into a tragedy, particularly when crowds gather around overturned tankers with buckets, gallons and other containers.

Dr Jinapor made the appeal in a statement read on his behalf during the National Petroleum Authority’s (NPA) Consumer Week celebration last week.

“I also make a special appeal. When a fuel tanker is involved in an accident, please do not gather to collect spilled fuel. What looks like an opportunity can become a tragedy in seconds. Keep away, call the emergency services, and let trained personnel handle it,” he said.

The Energy Minister also called on security agencies and emergency response institutions to strengthen their collaboration with the NPA to prevent fuel siphoning, tanker accidents and fires.

He stressed the importance of coordinated action to prevent such incidents and ensure swift responses whenever petroleum-related emergencies occur.

“To our security agencies and emergency services, I ask you to deepen your coordination with the NPA, so that siphoning, tanker accidents and fires are prevented, and the response is swift when something goes wrong,” he stated.

He added that responsible public behaviour and effective emergency response could help prevent accidents, reduce financial losses and protect lives.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, also warned that people who steal fuel from tanker accident scenes could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

He described the practice as theft and cautioned the public against treating tanker accidents as opportunities to collect spilled petroleum products.

Mr Tameklo recalled that the NPA launched its “Stay Back, Stay Safe” campaign in February 2026 through its Corporate Affairs Directorate, in collaboration with the Consumer Services Directorate.

The campaign was introduced to address the dangerous practice of people rushing to accident scenes with containers to collect spilled fuel.

According to him, such behaviour exposes individuals and surrounding communities to the risk of fires, explosions, serious injuries and death.

“When a fuel tanker overturns, some people rush to the scene with gallons, buckets and other containers to collect spilled petroleum products. In doing so, they expose themselves and others to the risk of fire, explosions, serious injuries and death,” he said.

He noted that previous incidents had resulted in fatalities, devastated families and affected communities, stressing that no quantity of fuel was worth risking human life.

“When a fuel tanker is involved in an accident, and you go and fetch fuel, you are a thief; you can go a maximum of 20 years in prison if you are caught,” he said.

Mr Tameklo urged members of the public to stay away whenever a fuel tanker overturns or is involved in an accident.

He advised people to immediately alert the Ghana National Fire Service and the Police, allowing trained emergency personnel to secure the area and manage the situation.

The NPA CEO said the authority had intensified public education through radio and television engagements, social media campaigns, community interactions and visits to lorry parks along major highways.

He added that the authority would continue working with relevant institutions and petroleum industry operators to promote safer practices and improve public awareness of petroleum-related emergencies.