The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has sought to reassure the public that Ghana has sufficient fuel reserves to withstand potential disruptions arising from escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe on Sunday, March 1, the NPA’s Director of Economic Regulation and Planning, Abass Ibrahim Tasunti, acknowledged that Ghana — as a net importer of petroleum products — cannot completely insulate itself from global oil market shocks triggered by the recent Iran attacks and rising regional instability.
However, he stressed that the authority has adequate stock levels and a structured supply plan to prevent immediate shortages.
“As of last Friday, we have diesel stocks to last us over five weeks — roughly about 5.3 weeks. For petrol, we have almost 6.8 weeks’ worth of supply,” he disclosed.
Not a Crisis Response
Mr Tasunti clarified that these reserves are not an emergency reaction to current geopolitical tensions but part of the NPA’s routine supply management strategy.
He explained that petroleum product discharges take place almost daily for imported cargoes. In addition, the Sentuo Oil Refinery has been consistently producing fuel since June 2025 and continues to supply products to the domestic market.
The Atuabo Gas Processing Plant is also producing and distributing LPG, further strengthening national supply.
“Whilst we consume what is in-tank, we have a plan for imports as well,” he said, underscoring that stock monitoring and import scheduling are continuous processes.
Ships at Anchorage, More Supplies on the Way
To reinforce supply stability, Mr Tasunti revealed that multiple vessels are currently waiting to discharge at the Tema anchorage — including two diesel cargoes and two petrol cargoes — with additional shipments already programmed.
According to him, this steady inflow ensures that as existing stocks are drawn down, fresh supplies are simultaneously replenishing storage.
“Even without this war, we always ensure that we have a plan to make petroleum products available for consumers in the country. This is one of NPA’s major mandates,” he added.
The assurance comes as global oil markets remain volatile, raising concerns among consumers about potential price hikes and supply constraints. For now, the NPA maintains that Ghana’s buffers are strong enough to keep pumps running without interruption.
