Chief Executive Edudzi Tamakloe of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) told the Public Accounts Committee on October 19 that the authority’s adoption of digital tracking since 2020 has markedly reduced human interference in the verification and payment of claims under the Uniform Petroleum Pricing Framework (UPPF) to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
According to Tamakloe, the new systems allow the NPA to confirm that bulk road vehicles carrying petroleum products actually reach the destinations declared by the OMCs. The technology replaces earlier manual checks that relied on personnel from the Bureau of National Investigations to physically verify vehicle movements.
He said the digital platform records every leg of a vehicle’s journey, from departure to arrival, and flags any tampering. This real‑time data lets the NPA match claimed transport costs with documented movements, reducing opportunities for inconsistencies or undue influence.
“The introduction of technology over the period has helped in ensuring that we pay appropriate claims,” Tamakloe said. “The system provides an essential basis for transactions involving OMCs; companies cannot deal with the authority without being registered on the portal.”
While the chief executive highlighted the improved accuracy and integrity of the claim‑validation process, he did not disclose specific figures on cost savings or the number of claims rejected since the rollout. Nonetheless, he noted that the combination of technology, the management committee’s oversight, and staff diligence has strengthened the UPPF administration.
With the UPPF designed to harmonise petroleum prices across Ghana, accurate verification of transportation activities is critical. The NPA’s digital framework now offers a reliable, time‑saving alternative to manual checks, bolstering public‑fund protection in the downstream petroleum sector.
