The 24-hour petroleum economy is expected to create thousands of jobs and improve fuel distribution across Ghana, according to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), which has signed a new agreement aimed at transforming operations in the downstream petroleum sector.
The commitment was outlined by NPA Chief Executive Officer, Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NPA and the 24-Hour Economy Authority.
The agreement is intended to support the implementation of continuous operations across key parts of the petroleum value chain, including storage depots, gantries, retail outlets and other strategic installations.
NPA highlights inefficiencies in current system
Speaking at the event, Mr Tameklo said the downstream petroleum sector remains vital to Ghana’s economy because it powers transportation, commerce and industrial activity.
“The downstream petroleum sector remains a cornerstone of our economy.
"It fuels transportation, powers industries, supports commerce, and underpins nearly every aspect of modern life.” - NPA CEO
He noted, however, that the sector has long been constrained by limited working hours, a situation he said has contributed to supply chain inefficiencies and lost economic opportunities.
“However, for many years, operations within this critical sector have largely been limited to specific working hours.
"This has resulted in inefficiencies in the supply chain and missed economic opportunities.” - NPA CEO
Jobs, supply reliability and growth expected
According to the NPA CEO, the shift to a 24-hour petroleum economy will go beyond longer business hours and instead serve as a broader economic reform within the sector.
“Within the petroleum downstream sector, this vision translates into continuous, round-the-clock operations across key installations, bulk storage depots, refineries’ gantries, and retail outlets, ensuring that petroleum products are available, accessible, and efficiently distributed at all times.” - NPA CEO
He said the initiative is expected to improve nationwide access to petroleum products, enhance efficiency in distribution, and create both direct and indirect employment.
“Adopting a 24-hour petroleum economy in the downstream petroleum sector will improve the availability and accessibility of petroleum products nationwide, enhance efficiency and reliability in the supply and distribution chain, create thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities, and boost government revenue and stimulate economic growth.” - NPA CEO
Safety and stakeholder readiness key to rollout
Mr Tameklo also stressed that safety and security will be central to the success of the new policy, especially as more facilities begin operating through the night.
He said national security agencies and emergency services would be expected to support the protection of personnel and infrastructure, while oil marketing companies, depot operators, transporters and bulk distributors will play a major role in ensuring the initiative is operationally viable.
The MoU is expected to pave the way for closer coordination between the NPA and the 24-Hour Economy Authority as Ghana works to build a more resilient and efficient downstream petroleum sector.
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