Ghana’s downstream petroleum regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has inaugurated a 16-member multi-stakeholder Bitumen Technical Committee to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework to govern the quality, regulation, and use of bitumen in the country.
The committee, chaired by the Director of Economic Regulation and Planning at the NPA, Mr. Abass Tasunti, with Acting Director of Licensing, Ms. Bridgette A. Turkson, serving as Co-Chair, comprises representatives from various NPA directorates as well as key stakeholder institutions, including the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division), and the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
The initiative seeks to address the absence of a dedicated regulatory framework for the bitumen industry, particularly in areas such as importation, storage, transportation, distribution, and quality assurance, despite the product’s critical role in Ghana’s road infrastructure development.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Mr. Godwin Edudzi Tameklo Esq., emphasized the need to ensure that all bitumen produced or imported into Ghana meets the required quality standards.
According to him, concerns from the road sector regarding the quality of bitumen on the market underscore the importance of stronger regulatory oversight and closer collaboration among relevant institutions.
Mr. Tameklo noted that the committee’s broad stakeholder representation would support the development of a practical and effective regulatory framework while ensuring that no compromises are made in safeguarding quality standards.
Chairperson of the committee, Mr. Abass Tasunti, described bitumen as a critical product for national development and stressed the importance of establishing a robust framework to ensure compliance with international standards.
He urged members to actively contribute their expertise to help develop a regulatory regime that will strengthen oversight, improve quality assurance, and support the sustainable growth of Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.
The establishment of the committee forms part of the NPA’s broader efforts to enhance regulatory oversight and promote the use of high-quality petroleum products across the country.