The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has moved to calm public anxiety over possible fuel shortages, insisting Ghana has sufficient petroleum stocks despite mounting geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that continue to unsettle global energy markets.
The assurance comes at a time when concerns over potential supply disruptions and rising crude oil prices are growing.
It also follows the government's recent decision to reduce the regulatory margin on diesel by GH¢2 per litre for one month to cushion consumers against rising fuel costs.
Fuel Availability Remains Top Priority
Speaking on JoyNews' PM Express Business Edition, the NPA's Director of Economic Regulation and Planning, Abass Tasunti, said the authority's foremost responsibility is to ensure petroleum products remain available across the country.
"We keep saying at NPA that our topmost priority as a regulator is to ensure availability of petroleum products at all times, because trust me, if the fuel was not available in the first place, I'm not sure people would be more concerned about the price you are paying at the pump." - Abass Tasunti
He warned that a shortage of fuel would have far-reaching consequences for businesses, transport services and the wider economy.
"Your interest would be to ensure that you get the product, and you can imagine the chaos and the impact non-availability of petroleum products will have on the economy that we have today," Mr Tasunti added.
More Than Five Weeks of Fuel in Stock
According to the NPA, Ghana currently holds more than five weeks' worth of petrol and diesel supplies, with fresh imports arriving regularly to replenish reserves.
Mr Tasunti explained that the stock figures should not be interpreted as a fixed quantity gradually running down.
"Whenever we say we have a little over five weeks or a little over four weeks, as an example, it doesn't mean that we are consuming that and nothing else is adding up," he noted.
He revealed that petroleum products continue to arrive at the country's discharge facilities under a carefully managed import schedule.
"As we speak right now, the vessel is discharging products. We never actually have free time at the facilities that discharge the petroleum products," he said, adding that the NPA relies on a structured Line-up Programme to coordinate imports and maintain adequate inventories.
Local Refining Strengthens Supply Security
Beyond imports, the authority says domestic refining continues to reinforce Ghana's fuel security.
Mr Tasunti disclosed that local refinery operations have remained steady, describing continuous production as another important buffer against external shocks.
"We also have the refinery refining consistently and has not stopped production since last year July," he stated.
The NPA believes the combination of sustained local refining, uninterrupted fuel imports and long-term supply planning leaves Ghana well positioned to weather any short-term disruptions linked to instability in the Middle East, while keeping petroleum products available for consumers nationwide.
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