The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has cautioned the public against siphoning fuel from tankers involved in road accidents, warning that the practice is both illegal and potentially fatal.

Mr Tameklo issued the warning when he appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Thursday, October 15, where he stressed that collecting petroleum products from accident scenes constitutes theft and exposes people to serious safety risks.

He explained that fuel diversion is an offence under Ghanaian law and warned that anyone found engaging in the practice could face prosecution and imprisonment.

“What you describe as a rush for fuel is stealing, for want of a better word, and you know in this country stealing is an offence,” he told the committee.

According to the NPA chief executive, a person who unlawfully diverts petroleum products faces a fine of between 2,500 and 5,000 penalty units, imprisonment for a term of between two and five years, or both, upon summary conviction.

NPA Intensifies Public Safety Campaign

Mr Tameklo said the authority had launched a public education campaign dubbed “Stay Back, Stay Safe” to discourage people from approaching fuel tankers involved in accidents.

The campaign seeks to educate the public about the dangers of gathering around overturned or damaged tankers to collect leaking fuel.

He warned that petroleum products are highly flammable and that a single spark could trigger an explosion, potentially resulting in multiple deaths, injuries and extensive property damage.

The NPA has repeatedly cautioned against the practice following fatal tanker accidents in parts of the country, including incidents at Nsawam and Gomoa Potsin. The authority has also worked with the Ghana Police Service to identify and prosecute people captured taking fuel from accident scenes.

Public Urged to Leave Accident Scenes to Emergency Responders

The NPA chief executive urged members of the public to resist the temptation to collect fuel from damaged tankers, regardless of the quantity spilled.

He said people who witness tanker accidents should alert the relevant emergency services and allow trained personnel to secure the area and manage the hazardous materials.

The Ghana National Fire Service and other emergency responders are responsible for assessing the risks, controlling potential ignition sources and taking appropriate steps to prevent fires or explosions.

Mr Tameklo's warning underscores the need for the public to prioritise personal safety and avoid actions that could endanger entire communities.

NPA Reports Progress on Tanker Licensing

During the PAC appearance, Mr Tameklo also reported progress in addressing licensing irregularities involving petroleum transport vehicles.

He told the committee that, as of May 2026, approximately 93 per cent of the vehicles concerned had obtained the required licences, while the remaining seven per cent that had not been licensed had been suspended.

The measures form part of broader efforts to strengthen regulatory compliance and improve safety in Ghana's petroleum downstream sector. 

Warning Against Dangerous Practice

The NPA's latest warning adds to ongoing efforts by authorities to discourage fuel theft and reduce casualties associated with tanker accidents.

Beyond the criminal consequences, the authority says the practice poses an immediate threat to people who gather around leaking tankers and to nearby homes, businesses and road users.

The public has therefore been urged to report tanker accidents promptly, keep a safe distance and allow emergency personnel to handle the situation.

The NPA maintains that no amount of fuel is worth risking human life, and it has warned that individuals who continue to siphon petroleum products from accident scenes will face the law.

Photo courtesy: Mr. Godwin Edudzi Tamaklo.