The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has presented its operational updates and strategic plans for 2025 to Parliament’s Energy Committee, as part of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities.

Chairman of the Committee and Member of Parliament for Ho West, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, noted that the engagement was aimed at deepening the Committee’s understanding of the NPA’s mandate, the challenges it faces, and identifying areas where policy support and interventions may be needed. He emphasized that the NPA plays a crucial role in regulating Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector under the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition.

During the briefing, NPA Chief Executive Officer Edudzi Tameklo outlined the six legislative instruments currently guiding the Authority’s regulatory activities. These include frameworks on tracking petroleum product movement, local content enforcement, and other critical compliance mechanisms.

Tameklo identified Bulk Oil Distributors and the Chamber of Oil Distributors as key stakeholders in the sector and highlighted the ongoing risks posed by unethical practices in the industry. He assured the Committee that the Authority is taking proactive steps to curb such activities.

To strengthen enforcement, the CEO appealed for a revision of the current penalty regime. He argued that the existing penalty units are insufficient as a deterrent and called on Parliament to consider increasing them to enhance regulatory compliance.

As a follow-up to the session, the Committee plans to visit the NPA’s offices to observe the Authority’s operations firsthand, particularly the deployment of ICT systems in monitoring and regulating the industry.