The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Act is currently being reviewed to support Ghana’s energy transition agenda, with the aim of attracting private investment into low-carbon technologies.
The Minister for Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, speaking at a stakeholder forum held on August 25, 2025, in Accra, indicated that the revision of the two-decade-old legislation is a strategic move to modernise the downstream petroleum sector and align it with global sustainability trends.
“There are four or so critical areas, in my opinion, power, resource control, absolute authority, and policy,” Jinapor stated. “The challenge is navigating these in a way that serves everyone’s interest. If we get it right, we do it for Ghana. If we delay, we only delay ourselves. After this forum, the draft will go to Cabinet, where it will be referred to a sub-committee. What we’re doing here is essentially the sub-committee’s work, positioning the law to reflect our current goals.”
The forum brought together key players in Ghana’s energy space to deliberate on reforms and regulatory updates needed to future-proof the sector.
Among the institutions represented were the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST), Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), and the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, stressed the importance of updating the legislation to match the sector’s evolving dynamics.
“This year marks exactly 20 years since the establishment of the National Petroleum Authority. The Act is as old as the Authority itself. Over the past two decades, the industry has evolved significantly. Now, we must look ahead to the next 20 years. One of the key initiatives I inherited was the push to overhaul the Act. That’s what we’re doing, engaging in further consultations to refine the draft bill,” Tamakloe said.
The revised Act is expected to serve as a cornerstone for Ghana’s energy policy direction, ensuring that regulatory frameworks are responsive to innovation, environmental concerns, and investment opportunities in the petroleum sector.
