The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr. Edudzi Kudzo Tameklo, has issued a strong warning to individuals involved in illegal fuel bunkering, stressing that enforcement operations will be intensified to protect consumers and safeguard state revenue.
His remarks followed the destruction of eight jumbo canoes seized by the Western Naval Command during an anti-bunkering operation at Poase and New Takoradi Beach in the Western Region.
The exercise, dubbed “Operation Don’t Complain,” took place on March 31, 2026, after intelligence indicated that unregistered vessels were being used to illegally transfer petroleum products along the coastline.
The Western Naval Command said the operation was carried out under Sections 53 and 54 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act (Act 1146), which requires permits from the Fisheries Commission for the construction and operation of fishing vessels. It noted that the seized canoes were built and operated without authorisation, making them illegal.
Mr. Tameklo explained that such activities compromise fuel quality control systems implemented by the NPA and also result in significant revenue losses for the state.
He noted that all imported fuel is tested before discharge and marked afterwards to prevent tampering, adding that illegal operators often bypass these safeguards by transferring fuel offshore into locally made canoes commonly referred to as “DenDey” before distributing it without regulatory oversight.
According to him, this practice allows untracked petroleum products to enter the market, making it impossible to verify quality and origin, while also enabling tax evasion on a large scale.
He warned that even a single canoe could carry fuel volumes equivalent to multiple tankers, leading to substantial financial losses. Using an example, he stated that transporting 540,000 litres could result in over GH¢540,000 in lost revenue per transaction if taxed at GH¢1 per litre.
Mr. Tameklo said the destruction of the vessels was aimed at dismantling the logistics network behind illegal bunkering and deterring future offenders, adding that removing such equipment weakens the entire illegal supply chain.
He further assured that the NPA, in collaboration with the Ghana Navy, Marine Police, and National Security, would continue intelligence-led operations along the coast to curb illegal petroleum activities.
The Western Naval Command reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing maritime laws and working with relevant agencies to protect Ghana’s maritime space and resources.