The Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union and the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST)  have reached an agreement to resolve concerns that triggered a three-day sit-down strike by fuel tanker drivers.

The agreement is expected to restore normal loading and distribution of petroleum products from the BOST Kumasi depot after drivers raised concerns over safety, loading delays, fuel measurement discrepancies and the poor condition of the depot’s parking facilities.

Under the agreement, the union’s executives in Kumasi will immediately coordinate the resurfacing of the AG car park to improve parking conditions for tanker operators.

BOST has also deployed a contractor to repair a defective loading arm at the depot, which drivers said had been contributing to delays in the loading process.

The company further disclosed that arrangements are underway for the construction of a new car park at the Kumasi depot, with progress updates expected as the project advances.

Meter discrepancies to be investigated

The parties have also agreed to engage the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) over concerns about the accuracy of fuel measurement meters at the depot.

The engagement is expected to take place in September 2026 and will examine the margin of error between the meters used by the various parties.

The outcome of the exercise will subsequently be reported to the relevant stakeholders.

The tanker drivers had alleged that differences in measurements were resulting in fuel shortages, with the financial cost reportedly being passed on to drivers.

They maintained that previous checks involving transport operators, the NPA and tanker unions had identified measurement discrepancies but had not established evidence of fuel being siphoned.

Parking concerns

Safety was also a major issue raised by the drivers during the industrial action.

They complained that the limited parking space at the Kumasi depot often forces tankers carrying highly flammable petroleum products to park along road shoulders, creating potential risks for motorists and other road users.

The drivers also criticised the condition of the existing BOST parking area, saying its untarred surface becomes particularly difficult to use during periods of heavy rain.

The strike had raised concerns about potential disruptions to fuel supplies in the Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo and Western North regions.

However, following the agreement with BOST, the tanker drivers have suspended the industrial action and are expected to resume normal operations.

The resolution gives BOST and the union time to implement the agreed measures while the NPA engagement is expected to provide clarity on the disputed fuel measurement system.