Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has directed the immediate suspension of operations at all fuel stations inundated by floodwaters following the heavy rains from Sunday night into Monday, June 29, 2026.
The regulator has ordered the immediate cessation of all fuel dispensing, loading, and offloading activities at stations where floodwaters have inundated the forecourt or tank area, or entered tank manholes, fill points, or vent pipes.
In a statement issued on Monday, the NPA urged Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), fuel station operators, dealers, transporters, and the general public to strictly adhere to safety measures at all fuel retail outlets affected by flooding.
It warned that failure to comply with the safety measures would attract regulatory sanctions.
The NPA directed operators to disconnect electrical power to fuel dispensers, canopy lighting, pumps, and all forecourt equipment using the main isolation switch, where it is safe to do so.
It further instructed operators to remove all staff, customers, and vehicles from affected stations and establish a safety exclusion zone, preferably extending at least 100 metres around the facility.
Additionally, the NPA advised operators to prohibit smoking, naked flames, welding, the use of spark-producing equipment, and any other activity capable of igniting flammable vapours within the exclusion zone.
The regulator also urged operators to report any incident immediately to the nearest NPA Regional Office, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and their respective Oil Marketing Company.
According to the NPA, operations must not resume until floodwaters have completely receded, the station has undergone a joint safety inspection by the NPA and the GNFS, and underground storage tanks, pipelines, dispensers, and associated equipment have been inspected and certified fit for service by qualified personnel.
It added that any water-contaminated fuel or hazardous waste must be safely removed and disposed of in accordance with applicable environmental requirements.
“The sale or distribution of contaminated petroleum products constitutes a violation of applicable petroleum regulations and will attract severe sanctions,” the statement said.
The regulator also advised members of the public to avoid entering, driving through, or gathering around flooded fuel stations.
The National Petroleum Authority said it will undertake compliance inspections at affected fuel stations nationwide. It warned that any station found to have resumed operations without the required safety clearance will be subject to enforcement action, including suspension of operations, regulatory sanctions, and prosecution, where applicable.
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