The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies, in collaboration with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has officially launched the four day Safety Week 2026 at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration in Accra.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening collaboration and enhancing health, safety, security and environmental standards across Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.
Held under the theme “Manage the Risk Before It Becomes an Incident,” the event has brought together regulators, industry leaders and key stakeholders to promote a proactive safety culture.
In his welcome address, COMAC Board Chairman, Mr. Gabriel Kumi, emphasised the need for a shared vision and collective responsibility in advancing safety, while acknowledging the NPA’s leadership in driving sector wide initiatives. He urged participants to actively contribute their expertise toward improving industry outcomes.
Chief Executive Officer of COMAC, Dr. Riverson Oppong, commended the NPA for enhancing regulatory compliance, strengthening fuel supply resilience and improving operational efficiency. He called for deeper collaboration among stakeholders under the Authority’s guidance to raise safety and performance standards.
Delivering remarks, the NPA Chief Executive, Mr. Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, highlighted growing safety concerns, particularly the rise in fuel tanker accidents and the risky practice of fuel siphoning at accident scenes. He noted that the Authority is intensifying public safety campaigns and working closely with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, tanker driver unions, tanker owners and the Ghana National Fire Service to improve road safety and address issues such as inexperienced drivers.
He reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to proactive interventions aimed at protecting lives, infrastructure and operations, especially in the face of global supply uncertainties.
In a keynote address, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, praised the NPA’s leadership and called for the integration of strong safety practices into daily operations, alongside increased public awareness to build a more resilient sector.
Additional presentations from institutions such as the Ghana Standards Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, GNFS, the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, and the Department of Factory Inspectorate highlighted the importance of regulatory compliance, preventive systems and sustained collaboration.
The opening day also featured a live fire safety demonstration and a panel discussion focused on building a proactive safety culture.
Meanwhile, NPA Director of Risk, Mr. Joseph Awen Awan, stressed the need to bridge technical capacity gaps, noting that effective safety management depends on equipping personnel with the skills required to anticipate and mitigate risks.
Safety Week 2026 continues with a series of engagements aimed at deepening industry wide commitment to safety excellence.