At the 2026 NPA Consumer Week celebration in Kasoa on Thursday, November 5, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority, delivered a stern appeal to Ghanaians to keep their distance from overturned fuel tankers. He warned that the temptation to collect petroleum products from accident scenes could lead to irreversible tragedy.
"My biggest fear is the loss of lives," Mr Tameklo said, stressing that while property can be recovered, a human life cannot. The message echoes the NPA’s established “Stay Back, Stay Safe” campaign, which discourages fuel siphoning and dangerous gatherings at tanker accident scenes.
The Authority’s published safety guidance also cautions people against approaching such scenes to take photographs or videos, advising the public to leave the response to trained professionals, including the Ghana National Fire Service and the Police. Mr Tameklo urged residents to allow the appropriate authorities to handle tanker emergencies and warned against encouraging others to collect fuel.
