The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo Esq., has reiterated the Authority’s commitment to bringing an end to fuel smuggling and Illicit trading along Ghana’s coastal areas.
His comments come after a visit to the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Tema on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, following the arrest and destruction of eight (8) dinghies, as the two institutions collaborate to combat the menace of illegal fuel operations.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Tameklo Esq., applauded the Eastern Naval Command, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GHPA) and other maritime law enforcement agencies for their efforts in fighting smuggling and other illicit fuel activities.
“The National Petroleum Authority commends the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), for their relentless efforts in combating smuggling and other illicit fuel activities, which have led to the arrest and subsequent destruction of these eight dinghies today, Mr. Tameklo said.
“We believe that the destruction of the dinghies, as carried out at the Western Naval Command on May 15, 2026, and the exercise today, will serve as a strong deterrent to illegal fuel operators who exploit our maritime space for illicit activities.”
Mr. Tameklo also assured of the NPA’s commitment to supporting joint operations, intelligence and stakeholder coordination with security agencies to protect and safeguard the downstream petroleum sector.
“We want to encourage the Navy, GHPA and other Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies to continue these kinds of arrests and we stand in readiness to support and partner with you to sanitize and stem the tide of illegal transfer of petroleum products and other illicit fuel activities in the country.”
For his part, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi expressed the Navy’s readiness to support and collaborate with the NPA to prevent such illegalities on Ghana’s coastal areas.
“We look forward to further collaborations with the NPA to curb these illegal activities on the high seas, we are ever ready to support you, and we also go on our own intelligence and whenever we make any arrests, we will bring them to your knowledge”.
The latest operation underscores the growing resolve of the National Petroleum Authority and the Ghana Navy to clamp down on illegal fuel bunkering and smuggling activities along the country’s coastline.
The NPA is confident the decisive actions taken in these operations will serve as a strong deterrent to individuals and groups engaged in illicit fuel smuggling and related illegal activities.
