NPA CEO urges Ghanaians to stay away from overturned fuel tankers

The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, has urged Ghanaians to stay away from overturned fuel tankers and avoid collecting spilled petroleum products to prevent loss of lives.

Speaking at the 2026 NPA Consumer Week celebration in Kasoa on Thursday, November 5, Tameklo warned that approaching accident scenes to collect fuel could expose people to serious danger.

“My biggest fear is the loss of lives,” he said, stressing that while damaged property could be replaced, human life was irreplaceable.

He urged residents to allow emergency responders and the appropriate authorities to manage tanker accidents rather than rushing to collect spilled fuel or encouraging others to do so.

Tameklo’s appeal reinforces the NPA’s Stay Back, Stay Safe campaign, which cautions the public against gathering around tanker accident scenes, including to take photographs or videos.

The Authority has consistently advised the public to leave such emergencies to trained personnel, including the Ghana National Fire Service and the Police, to prevent avoidable casualties.

He called on individuals, families and community leaders to help promote the safety message and discourage people from approaching overturned fuel tankers.