The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the 24 Hour Economy Authority have signed a joint memorandum of understanding to implement 24-hour operations in the petroleum downstream sector.
The signing ceremony took place at the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat’s office in Accra on Tuesday, March 31.
The CEO of the NPA, Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, said the agreement marks the beginning of a transformative journey that redefines how the downstream petroleum industry operates, contributes to national development, creates jobs and serves the people of Ghana.
He said the downstream petroleum sector remains a cornerstone of the local economy because it fuels transportation, powers industry, supports corporations, and underpins nearly every aspect of modern life.
He however noted that for many years, operations within this critical sector have largely been limited to specific working hours.
This has resulted in inefficiencies in the supply chain and missed economic opportunities. The end to these challenges, he said, is near with the signing of the MoU.
“Under the MoU, the NPA will develop and enforce 24-hour operational readiness standards covering lighting, security, staffing protocols, digital fuel monitoring, and fire safety across fuel stations, refineries, bulk storage depots, and bulk road vehicle operations.
“The 24-Hour Economy Authority will coordinate the enabling environment, including security agency deployment and cross-government support for certified operators.
“The partnership is designed to ensure that the downstream petroleum sector keeps pace with the broader 24-Hour Economy programme, which is developing agro-processing capacity, expanding manufacturing, and building logistics corridors across the country.
“Reliable, round-the-clock fuel supply is a critical enabler for each of these pillars. Implementation will begin with a nationwide pilot covering approximately ten percent of the downstream sector, with security deployment as the immediate priority. The NPA has already constituted a Steering Committee and technical sub-committees to prepare the sector for the transition.
“The partnership brings together key players across the petroleum and security value chain, including the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), BOST Energies, the Ghana National Tanker Drivers Union (GNTDU), Tanker Owners Union (TOU), refineries, the Ghana Police Service, National Security Secretariat, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana Petroleum Mooring Systems (GPMS), the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and private sector investors,” he said.
For his part, Mr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, said: “The programme is not only asking operators to stay open longer. We are building the enterprises and industrial capacity that will create growing demand for these services. To the factory owner in Tema, the trader in Tamale, the transport operator on the Accra-Kumasi corridor, the message is simple. If you are ready to grow, we are building the system to support you.”
