Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has called for collaboration from security agencies to implement the 24-hour economy at fuel stations nationwide.

Speaking at a special meeting with the Eastern Regional Minister, regional security heads and key stakeholders at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), in Koforidua on Wednesday, Mr. Tameklo emphasised the importance of strict regulation and enforcement to protect the petroleum downstream industry from criminal activities.

He said the petroleum sector was highly susceptible to criminal activities, including fuel smuggling, illegal siphoning, and fraudulent transactions.

The NPA Boss noted that fuel was a legitimate but highly valuable commodity, making it a target for illicit activities.“We will need the active involvement of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), alongside the NPA’s intelligence unit and other security agencies like the Police, Customs, Fire service to combat all forms of fuel-related crimes”, he said.

Mr. Tameklo hinted on NPA’s future plans to take the security agencies through a specialized training programmes to enhance their capacity in tackling petroleum-related offences and indicated that the government’s plan to roll out a 24-hour economy could only be successful if the security and safety of consumers and petroleum workers were assured.

“Petroleum is a hazardous product, and we cannot afford to overlook safety concerns.

“NPA will work closely with the Fire Service and other security agencies to ensure the highest levels of safety and security,” he emphasized.

His call for security collaboration was crucial given the vulnerability in some filling stations at the closing periods of the night.

Earlier this month, it was reported that masked armed robbers had attacked the Kansaworodo branch of the Total fuel station in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of the Western Region at dawn.

Fortunately, keys to the safe was with the manager who was not at the premises at the time of the incident, and so the robbers could not get their booty.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Ms Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, pledged the support of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).

She assured the Authority of her full cooperation in ensuring that the NPA’s efforts to ensure safety and compliance with regulations in the petroleum sector are successful in the Eastern Region.

She also proposed that the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) should be integrated into the NPA’s operations across all regions to strengthen security and enhance collaboration and commended the NPA’s commitment to consumer protection and regulatory enforcement.

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John Jinapor [L] and Godwin Asare-Bediako

Broadcast journalist and show host on Wontumi TV/Radio, Godwin Asare-Bediako, has said that the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, should be considered the primary suspect in the case of the alleged disappearance of 1,350 Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) containers from Tema Harbour.

His comment follows the minister’s serious concerns over the missing containers.

According to the minister, a committee set up to investigate the issue has uncovered alarming procurement breaches spanning several years.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, March 25, John Jinapor disclosed that he had received a 103-page report detailing the extent of the irregularities.

“The findings from the committee report are very disturbing, with over 1,350 of the containers missing from the Tema port, aside from serious procurement breaches in the past few years,” he stated.

The minister further assured the public that law enforcement agencies would be tasked with bringing those responsible to justice.

“The law enforcement agencies will surely be tasked to hold culprits liable,” he emphasized, signaling the government’s commitment to ensuring accountability.

However, commenting further on the issue on Wontumi TV/Radio, Godwin Asare-Bediako, an experienced journalist, expressed doubts over how 1,350 containers could disappear in just one month. He was convinced that the minister has a lot of questions to answer and must therefore be the first person to be investigated.

“You said you had discussions with ECG, and they said they had a challenge. They imported containers but were unable to clear them due to a lack of funds and would have to pay demurrage charges. So you went with them to Tema Port to inspect and count the containers. After that, you held a press conference and claimed that you had found about 3,000 containers, stated how much ECG owed at the port, and explained how the government would clear the debt. You then chastised the management of ECG for dereliction of duty.

“Just one month later, you now claim that you’ve conducted an audit and, out of the 3,000 containers you counted at the port, 1,350 cannot be accounted for. Almost half of the containers cannot be found. The first suspect is John Jinapor. We Ghanaians didn’t even know that ECG had this quantity of containers. You were the one who put out that information, and now you are the same person claiming that the number has reduced by this much. So the first suspect is Jinapor. I have many scenarios in mind.

“It would be difficult and shocking for 1,350 containers to go missing within a month. If there is to be a probe into this matter, it must be conducted live on TV for all Ghanaians to watch. There are supervisors at the port, National Security operatives, and port officials. Containers go through multiple processes before they are cleared.”

Just give them a couple of days, they will form a committee to further deplete the public purse on this issue pic.twitter.com/rKCqKhSfom

— Harrydarling💖 (@AcheampongHarry) March 26, 2025

KA

Meanwhile, catch the first in the series of our special episodes on Forgotten Forts on People and Places on GhanaWeb TV below. This episode focuses on Fort Amsterdam at Abandze:

President John Dramani Mahama has called on the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to play an active role in scrutinizing government policies, emphasizing that accountability is key to national progress.

The President made these remarks during a courtesy visit by the leader of the GBA, Efua Ghartey, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. He highlighted the importance of constructive criticism, urging civil society organizations, including the GBA, to voice concerns when governance takes a wrong turn.

“You have been a strong advocate for the rule of law, respect for human rights, the constitution, and freedoms. I believe that the role you play is important for our society to progress,” Mahama stated.

He further stressed the necessity of external oversight, drawing on a local proverb to illustrate his point: “So, as I have told civil societies, they must have the freedom to point out when things are not going in a way they should. Just like we say in our local parlance, ‘if a person is charting a path, he may not know that it is crooked.’”

“It is only onlookers who can be able to point it out to him. So, we will appreciate whatever feedback you give, and I believe that is how government should be,” he added.

The President’s remarks reaffirm his administration’s commitment to transparency and dialogue, reinforcing the critical role of legal and civil society institutions in governance.

No animosity between government and judiciary

In a related development, President Mahama dismissed claims of discord between his administration and the judiciary, stressing his government’s willingness to collaborate with the legal fraternity.

Speaking during the same engagement with the GBA, the President acknowledged the perception of tension but assured the association that his administration values cooperation in strengthening governance.

“Government is open to working with you, particularly on our side of the political divide. There’s this perception that we have a problem with the legal fraternity and things like that,” Mahama stated.

He pointed to individuals within his government, such as Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, as evidence of the administration’s respect for the judiciary and its commitment to legal principles.

“We’re not people who have any such animosity towards the judiciary and the legal fraternity. So our doors are open,” he reiterated.

President Mahama’s assurances come at a time when concerns over judicial independence and government influence have been a topic of public debate. His call for continued dialogue and partnership with the legal community underscores the administration’s efforts to foster a harmonious relationship with key institutions in the country’s democratic framework.