The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has renewed calls on the public to stay away from fuel tanker accident scenes, warning that anyone caught siphoning fuel from an overturned tanker could face up to 20 years in prison.
He described the act as theft and cautioned that rushing to collect spilt petroleum products poses serious risks, including fires, explosions, severe injuries and loss of life. Mr. Tameklo gave the warning during the NPA Consumer Week 2026 celebration held at Kasoa on Thursday, October 5, under the theme: “Safe Downstream, Confident Consumers”.
He recalled that in February this year, the NPA’s Corporate Affairs Directorate, in collaboration with the Consumer Services Directorate, launched the Stay Back, Stay Safe campaign to address the dangerous practice of people gathering at fuel tanker accident scenes to collect spilt fuel.
According to him, whenever a fuel tanker overturns, some members of the public rush to the scene with gallons, buckets and other containers to siphon petroleum products, exposing themselves and others to potentially fatal dangers. “When a fuel tanker overturns, some people rush to the scene with gallons, buckets and other containers to collect spilt 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 such incidents have had devastating consequences, resulting in loss of lives, broken families and affected communities due to the public’s failure to appreciate the dangers associated with spilled fuel. “Our message has therefore been clear and consistent: no amount of fuel is worth a human life,” he stressed. Mr. Tameklo further warned that anyone who collects fuel from an accident scene commits theft and could face a maximum prison sentence of 20 years if convicted.
“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 cautioned.
He urged the public to keep a safe distance whenever a fuel tanker is involved in an accident and immediately alert the Ghana National Fire Service and the Police. He added that trained emergency personnel must be allowed to secure the area and manage the situation to prevent further casualties.
The NPA CEO said the Authority had intensified public education on the dangers of fuel theft through radio and television engagements, social media campaigns, community outreach programmes and visits to lorry parks along major highways. “We have carried this message through radio and television engagements, social media campaigns, community interactions and visits to lorry parks along major highways,” he said.
However, he emphasised that public education alone would not be sufficient, adding that the NPA would continue collaborating with relevant institutions and industry operators to promote safe practices and strengthen public awareness of petroleum-related emergencies.
