NPA Assures Ghanaians of Adequate Fuel Stocks Amid Middle East Tensions – Diesel to Last Over 5 Weeks, Petrol Nearly 7 Weeks
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has moved quickly to calm growing public concerns about potential fuel shortages, confirming that Ghana currently holds strong reserves of petroleum products despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East and the recent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking on JoyNews on Sunday, March 1, the Director of Economic Regulation and Planning at the NPA, Abass Ibrahim Tasunti, provided reassuring figures on current stock levels:
“As of last Friday, we have diesel stocks to last us over five weeks. Roughly, it will last us up to 5.3 weeks. And then for petrol, we have almost 6.8 weeks to last,” Mr Tasunti said.
He stressed that these reserves are not a special emergency measure triggered by the crisis, but part of the NPA’s routine responsibility to maintain uninterrupted supply:
“Even without this war, we always ensure that we have a plan to make petroleum products available for consumers in the country. So this is not something that is being done because of the war, but it is something we do regularly. It is one of NPA’s major mandates.”
Mr Tasunti explained that the Authority closely monitors daily discharge of imported petroleum products at the ports, while domestic production from the Sentuo Oil Refinery (operational since June 2025) and the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant (supplying LPG) continues to supplement national supply.
He added that several vessels are currently waiting to discharge at the Tema anchorage, including two cargoes of diesel and two cargoes of petrol, with additional imports already scheduled to arrive in the coming days.
While assuring stability in the short to medium term, the NPA acknowledged that Ghana — as a net importer of petroleum products — cannot remain completely insulated from global oil market disruptions. The recent surge in crude prices above $91 per barrel, driven by the Hormuz blockade and regional hostilities, is already being factored into future cargo pricing by traders.
In a related comment, the Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, warned that the geopolitical risk premium will likely push pump prices higher in the weeks ahead:
“If I was a trader and I woke up tomorrow to have to put stock on the market, I would definitely bear in mind the fact that these hostilities or tensions prevailing within the Middle East could affect the next cargo consignment that I get down here.”
The NPA urged the public to avoid panic buying and to continue purchasing fuel normally, assuring that supply chains remain intact and that the Authority is working closely with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to maintain availability at the pumps.
The Ministry of Energy and NPA are monitoring the situation round-the-clock, with contingency plans in place should the crisis prolong or intensify. Ghanaians are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and report any unusual fuel supply issues to the NPA or local OMCs.
