The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has announced plans to tighten registration requirements for petroleum tanker owners and drivers operating in Ghana, aiming to improve safety and reduce road accidents involving tankers.

The move comes after several recent fuel tanker accidents, some of which have resulted in fires and fatalities, highlighting the urgent need for stricter safety measures.

Speaking on Tuesday, April 7, at the Safety Week celebration organized by the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies, NPA Chief Executive Officer Godwin Edudzi Tameklo explained that the new measures will ensure only tankers that meet strict safety and operational standards are allowed on the roads.

He stressed that safety is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders, including tanker owners, drivers, unions, and the regulator.

“The business owner who is buying the tanker has a responsibility, the one driving also has a responsibility, the union, and of course, the National Petroleum Authority. Going forward, before we register any new tanker, there are KPI or checklists that we will look at before registration,” Mr. Tameklo said.

The NPA says these reforms are critical to preventing future accidents and promoting safer operations in the petroleum transport sector.