I Could Make Ghc4,000 A Day –Former Fuel Attendant Exposes Tactics Used To Cheat Customers

A former fuel station attendant, Emmanuel Eshun, has alleged that some filling stations in Ghana manipulate fuel pumps to cheat customers by delivering inaccurate quantities or misleading buyers about the cost of fuel.

Speaking in an interview with KayB Media, Eshun described his experience working at a filling station after completing senior high school in 2012. He said he began the job earning GH¢80 per month but soon became aware of practices he considered dishonest.

According to Eshun, an incident on his first day raised questions about the station’s operations. He claimed a supervisor gave him GH¢20, a gesture he did not initially understand but later associated with the alleged manipulation of fuel dispensers.

He alleged that certain pumps were deliberately configured to display inaccurate information, making it difficult for customers to determine whether they were receiving the correct quantity of fuel for their money. He further claimed that, at some stations, only one dispenser was properly calibrated, while the others were allegedly manipulated.

Eshun also said attendants sometimes placed stickers over the unit-price display on pump screens, preventing customers from checking the price per litre. He noted that many motorists request fuel based on a specific amount of money rather than a particular volume, potentially making discrepancies less noticeable.

He admitted that he eventually participated in the practices he had initially observed. After learning how the alleged system worked, he began manipulating pumps himself to earn money beyond his official salary. He claimed the additional income could be considerable on busy days, particularly when serving heavy-duty vehicles.

Eshun added that some commercial drivers, including trotro operators, occasionally questioned suspicious fuel quantities but said attendants could deny the allegations.

His account has raised concerns about consumer protection and accountability in Ghana’s fuel retail industry. If substantiated, such practices could undermine public trust and cause motorists to pay for fuel they do not receive. The allegations highlight calls for effective pump calibration, unannounced inspections and stronger enforcement against proven violations.

However, Eshun’s claims do not establish that all filling stations engage in such conduct. Motorists can protect themselves by checking displayed prices and receipts, requesting fuel by measured litres where practical, and reporting suspected irregularities to the relevant authorities.