National Petroleum Authority Speech: Remarks by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) at the 2026 World Consumer Rights Day Celebration
PetroPulse publishes below the full speech by the NPA CEO. The text appears exactly as released.
Source: National Petroleum Authority || Date Issued: March 19, 2025
FULL TEXT – ORIGINAL RELEASE
ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
REMARKS BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE NATIONAL PETROLEUM AUTHORITY (NPA) AT THE 2026 WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATION - March 19, 2025
Mr. Chairman;
Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Dr. John Jinapor;
Deputy Chief Executives, NPA;
Representatives of CUTS International;
Distinguished Industry Players;
Members of the Academia;
Consumer Advocacy Groups;
The Media;
Invited Guests;
Students from Tertiary Institutions;
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is both an honour and a privilege to address you on this important gathering to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day 2026, under the theme: “Safe Products, Confident Consumers in Ghana’s Downstream Petroleum Sector”. The day, which is celebrated on March 15 each year, is meant to raise awareness about consumer rights and the protection of same from unfair trade practices.
Today’s event reflects a shared commitment between the National Petroleum Authority and CUTS International to place the Ghanaian consumer at the centre of petroleum sector governance. It is also a testament to the importance we collectively attach to transparency, accountability, and continuous reform in the downstream petroleum industry.
Without a doubt, the downstream petroleum sector plays a critical role in Ghana’s socio-economic development. From transportation to industry, from agriculture to household energy use, petroleum products are indispensable to our daily lives. As regulator operating under the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, the Authority remains committed to ensuring that this sector operates efficiently, competitively, and in a manner that protects the interests of consumers.
In recognition of the need to protect consumer rights by ensuring that, at all times, consumers receive safe petroleum products, the Authority, has over the years, established and strengthened dedicated institutional mechanisms to safeguard quality. Notably, the Authority has long maintained key directorates such as the Inspection and Monitoring Directorate and the Quality Assurance Directorate, which are specifically mandated to oversee compliance, enforce standards, and ensure the integrity of petroleum products across the supply chain.
Furthermore, in line with evolving consumer expectations and the growing importance of consumer protection, the National Petroleum Authority has recently strengthened its institutional focus on consumer welfare by elevating the Consumer Services Department, previously under Corporate Affairs into a full-fledged Consumer Services Directorate, supported by enhanced staffing and expanded operational capacity.
The newly established Directorate is complemented by a state-of-the-art consumer call centre, designed to provide timely, efficient, and accessible support to the public. Consumers may contact the call centre on 0302 550 380, 0800 123 000 (Telecel), or 054 500 6111 (MTN) for prompt assistance and redress.
This strategic initiative underscores the Authority’s commitment to strengthening its responsiveness to consumer concerns, deepening public awareness of consumer rights, and ensuring robust, accessible, and effective redress mechanisms within the downstream petroleum sector.
Ladies and gentlemen, while we continue to make progress in safeguarding product quality and strengthening consumer protection, we must also candidly acknowledge the broader challenges that impact consumers.
One such issue is the fuel price floor policy, which recently made the news. This policy was introduced to prevent predatory pricing, promote fair competition, and ensure market stability. While it has contributed to a more structured and predictable market, concerns have been raised regarding its potential to limit the full pass-through of reductions in global petroleum prices to consumers. These concerns are important and will continue to inform our ongoing policy reviews.
Again, in recent months, developments in the global geopolitical landscape have once again demonstrated how interconnected energy markets have become. In particular, the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Isreal and Iran have introduced uncertainty into the global oil market. Historically, when tensions rise in regions critical to global energy supply, international crude oil prices respond accordingly, which invariably affects global crude oil prices.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, this event has therefore been convened not only to commemorate, but to critically examine issues affecting the industry, draw lessons from global best practices, and identify actionable solutions that will enhance consumer welfare and confidence.
Over the course of today’s programme, we will explore key themes including:
● Safety and quality assurance of petroleum products
● Pricing transparency and market efficiency
● Consumer protection and redress mechanisms
● Policy and regulatory reforms to strengthen the downstream sector
The presence of a diverse group of stakeholders including regulators, Oil Marketing Companies, consumer advocates, academia, and the media, positions us to generate practical, issues-based recommendations that can inform policy and create an enabling environment for both consumers and industry players.
Our distinguished guest, building confident consumers requires more than regulation; it requires trust, responsiveness, and continuous improvement. At the National Petroleum Authority, we remain committed to deepening collaboration with partners such as CUTS International and all stakeholders to ensure that Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector delivers safe, affordable, and reliable products to every citizen.
As we officially open this event, I encourage frank discussions, constructive engagement, and bold, forward-looking ideas that will shape the future of consumer protection in our sector.
On this note, I wish you fruitful deliberations and a successful World Consumer Rights Day celebration.
Thank you.
Assalamu alaikum
END OF RELEASE
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