The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has launched a strategic collaboration with the Ghana Police Service to track down and arrest individuals who syphon fuel from tankers following road accidents.
This initiative was announced by Chief Executive Officer Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe during a media engagement on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, as a direct measure to deter illegal activity and prevent further loss of life.
According to Mr Tamakloe, recent incidents along the Nsawam-Kumasi highway have highlighted a troubling trend where organised groups deliberately target distressed tankers to steal petroleum products.
Authorities have already begun reviewing video footage from recent accident sites to identify those involved in these thefts.
The CEO emphasised that these arrests are necessary not only to uphold the law but also to curb the extreme public safety risks posed by fuel syphoning, which frequently leads to catastrophic explosions.
“I think there is a disturbing phenomenon where anytime there is a tanker accident, people, I mean, fellow citizens, will try stealing. In some instances, that has resulted in massive explosions, resulting in loss of lives and properties. We are working with the Ghana Police, with the video recordings that we have already, to effect the arrest of all those who have been found in those videos, stealing from tankers that have, you know, been involved in accidents,” Tamakloe stated.
The NPA is coordinating closely with the CID, the Inspector General of Police, and specialised cybercrime units to ensure those captured on film are prosecuted. By enforcing these legal consequences, the Authority hopes to send a firm message to the public regarding the dangers of such behaviour.
Highlighting recent tragedies at Nsawam and Gomoa Potsin, the CEO urged citizens to prioritise safety over illegal gain.
“We believe that with the support of the cybercrime units, the Inspector General Police, and the CID, arresting and prosecuting people for stealing is one way of sending a clear message to the public that doing that is a crime. Beyond the crime, you also expose others to the risk associated with an explosion. We saw what recently happened at Nsawam. We saw what recently happened at Gomoa Potsin and the rest. So we want to use your platform to appeal humbly to our fellow countrymen not to get involved anytime there is an accident involving a tanker that is moving petroleum products,” Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana