NPA CEO Urges Public to Stay Away from Overturned Fuel Tankers

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, has cautioned members of the public against approaching overturned fuel tankers, warning that attempts to collect spilled petroleum products could put lives at serious risk.

He urged Ghanaians to prioritise their safety by staying away from accident scenes involving fuel tankers and allowing emergency responders to carry out their duties without interference.

Mr Tameklo delivered the warning during the 2026 NPA Consumer Week celebration held at Kasoa Ofaakor Park in the Central Region on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

In a public safety message shared by JoyNews, the NPA Chief Executive emphasised that human life is more valuable than any quantity of fuel that may spill following a tanker accident.

“Your life is priceless, and no amount of fuel is worth risking it,” he stated.

He further urged members of the public to maintain a safe distance from overturned tankers and give emergency personnel enough room to respond to the situation.

According to him, the public must understand that gathering around accident scenes, particularly where petroleum products are leaking, can expose individuals to dangerous situations, including fires and explosions.

Fuel is highly flammable, and attempts to siphon or collect spilled petroleum products can increase the risk of serious injuries and fatalities. Such activities may also interfere with the work of personnel responsible for securing the accident scene.

Mr Tameklo’s warning forms part of the NPA’s broader public education efforts to discourage the dangerous practice of rushing to accident scenes to collect fuel.

The Authority has been promoting its “Stay Back, Stay Safe” campaign to encourage people to avoid tanker accident scenes and allow trained emergency personnel to manage such incidents.

The campaign also seeks to educate communities about the dangers associated with petroleum products and the importance of responsible behaviour during emergencies.

Members of the public who witness accidents involving fuel tankers are encouraged to alert the appropriate emergency agencies, including the Ghana National Fire Service and the Police, instead of attempting to handle the situation themselves.

The NPA has repeatedly stressed that public cooperation is essential in preventing avoidable deaths and injuries during petroleum-related emergencies.

Mr Tameklo’s latest appeal reinforces the importance of placing human safety above the desire to obtain spilled fuel.

He reminded the public that their families depend on them to return home safely, urging everyone to exercise caution whenever a tanker accident occurs.

The warning serves as a reminder that no quantity of petroleum product is worth losing a life and that emergency responders must be given the necessary space to work.

https://x.com/JoyNewsOnTV/status/2118635899034472630

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