Ghana: NPA Reaffirms Commitment To Combating Illicit Fuel Smuggling Along Coastline

Ghana’s downstream petroleum regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has reiterated its commitment to ending illegal fuel smuggling and trading along the country’s coastal areas.

Godwin Kudzo Tameklo Esq., Chief Executive of the petroleum regulatory body, made the remarks during a working visit to the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Tema on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, following the arrest and destruction of eight specially modified canoes, known as “dinghies”, as part of ongoing collaboration between the two institutions to combat illegal fuel operations.

He was accompanied by the NPA’s Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Technical Operations, Dr. Sheila Addo, and other senior officials of the Authority.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Tameklo applauded the Eastern Naval Command, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and other maritime law enforcement agencies for their efforts in combating smuggling and other illicit fuel-related activities.

“The National Petroleum Authority commends the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) for its relentless efforts in combating smuggling and other illicit fuel activities, which have led to the arrest and subsequent destruction of these eight dinghies today,” Mr. Tameklo said.

“We believe that the destruction of the dinghies, as carried out at the Western Naval Command on May 15, 2026, and the exercise conducted today, will serve as a strong deterrent to illegal fuel operators who exploit our maritime space for illicit activities.”

Mr. Tameklo also assured stakeholders of the NPA’s commitment to supporting joint operations, intelligence-sharing, and stakeholder coordination with security agencies to protect and safeguard the downstream petroleum sector.

“We want to encourage the Navy, GPHA, and other maritime law enforcement agencies to continue these arrests. We stand ready to support and partner with you to sanitize the sector and stem the tide of illegal transfers of petroleum products and other illicit fuel-related activities in the country,” he added.

For his part, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi, expressed the Navy’s readiness to continue collaborating with the NPA to prevent such illegal activities along Ghana’s coastline.

“We look forward to further collaboration with the NPA to curb these illegal activities on the high seas. We are ever ready to support you, and we also conduct our own intelligence operations. Whenever we make arrests, we will bring them to your attention,” he said.

The latest operation underscores the growing resolve of the National Petroleum Authority and the Ghana Navy to clamp down on illegal fuel bunkering and smuggling activities along the country’s coastline.

The NPA is confident that the decisive actions taken through these operations will serve as a strong deterrent to individuals and groups engaged in illicit fuel smuggling and related illegal activities.