By Adnan Adams Mohammed
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has intensified its nationwide public education, enforcement, and safety awareness campaigns to protect fuel consumers, prevent loss of life, and safeguard standard measurements across retail outlets.
The Authority’s recent multi-pronged efforts span community sensitization programs, strict legal warnings against fuel theft at accident scenes, and joint emergency preparedness simulations with state security and rescue services.
Educating Consumers on “Ntease Kuruwa”
As part of measures to combat short-dispensing at fuel stations, the NPA’s Consumer Services Directorate carried out an intensive sensitization exercise during a month-long Business Fair organized by the Parish Youth Council of Christ the King Catholic Church in Accra.
The campaign focused heavily on educating the public on their right to verify fuel quantities using the 10-Litre Measuring Can, locally known as the “Ntease Kuruwa.” NPA officials demonstrated how consumers can request and read the measuring can to verify if petroleum pumps are dispensing accurately.
Speaking on the initiative, Mrs. Maureen Adwoa Duori, Head of Consumer Education and Stakeholder Engagement at the NPA, highlighted the purpose of empowering fuel buyers:
“The 10-Litre Measuring Can or ‘Ntease Kuruwa’ gives consumers a practical means of verifying the quantity of fuel delivered. We encourage consumers who suspect under-delivery to request a test and report any unresolved concerns to the NPA through our Call Centre.”
Participants at the fair welcomed the demonstration, though several raised concerns that fuel station attendants sometimes discourage consumers from requesting the test or fail to keep the measuring cans easily accessible. The NPA advised consumers to report any non-compliant outlets or suspected fuel quality issues to its Call Centre within 24 hours.
Crackdown on Fuel Theft at Accident Scenes
Parallel to its retail oversight, the NPA has issued a stern warning against the siphoning of fuel from overturned or distressed tankers. The Authority reiterated that collecting spilled fuel is a grave criminal offense that carries severe legal consequences, including prosecution.
Addressing stakeholders at the EweZa Development Forum in Sogakope, the Volta Regional Manager of the NPA, Prospero Kojo Cyriaano-Olympio, cautioned against the fatal risks of approaching accident scenes:
“Any unruly individual or group identified for such acts will face the full rigours of the law. No quantity of fuel is worth a human life. A single spark is enough to trigger a massive explosion capable of causing multiple and widespread destruction.”
The NPA emphasized its ongoing “Stay Back Stay Safe” campaign, urging members of the public, traditional leaders, and local assemblies to discourage fuel looting and immediately alert the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and police whenever a tanker accident occurs.
Support for regional development and public safety was also highlighted by Sebastian Michael Nunya Kuwornu, Founder and Executive Director of the EweZa Foundation:
“The future of the Volta Region will not be determined by what we just possess; it will be determined by what we choose to build together.”
Boosting Safety through Fire Simulations
In furtherance of institutional safety and emergency readiness, the GNFS conducted a comprehensive fire simulation and safety training exercise at the NPA Regional Headquarters in Abura, Cape Coast.
The exercise, led by Regional Safety Officer DO I Mustapha Nyarko Hammah in collaboration with the Metro Fire Station Green Watch, equipped NPA staff with practical skills in fire prevention, emergency evacuations, and fire extinguisher operations.
Commending the GNFS for the initiative, the Central Regional Director of the NPA, Michael Opoku-Obiri, stressed the importance of institutional readiness:
“The exercise has significantly enhanced staff awareness and emergency preparedness. With local festivities such as the Fetu Afahye approaching, staff must remain vigilant and strictly observe all safety precautions.”
The NPA reiterated its commitment to working closely with security agencies, traditional authorities, and the general public to foster a safer petroleum downstream sector across Ghana.
