Petroleum is nervous system of the economy – NPA boss explains why fuel security is national security

The CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, has identified three major factors that determine the availability and pricing of petroleum products in Ghana. He said the factors are the international Free on Board (FOB) price, taxes and, most importantly, the exchange rate. His comments come as Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector continues to contend with external pressures affecting pump prices.

The NPA has recently adjusted the price floors for petrol and diesel amid changes in international petroleum market conditions. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, Mr Tamakloe said that managing Ghana’s petroleum sector is particularly challenging because the country is exposed to external market developments. He said the situation requires careful management because petroleum products are central to the economy’s functioning.

Mr Tamakloe also recalled the fuel shortages and queues experienced around 2014 and 2015. He said those shortages were internally generated and were not caused by a lack of petroleum products. “Those queues were internally generated.

It was not because there was no availability of products, but for some obvious reasons, there was quote, unquote, an artificial shortage of products in the various pumps, and that created in itself some queue.” He said the experience underscored the strategic importance of petroleum products to Ghana’s economy and national security. “And so, at the core of the management of the downstream is the whole idea of national security. Very strategic area.” According to him, petroleum products are so critical that consumers have limited alternatives when supplies are disrupted.

“I mean, when people don’t have light, they can adjust for 24 hours. But when they don’t have petroleum products, they have no alternative. They can’t even use water or anything.” Mr Tamakloe said the NPA’s approach is therefore to manage domestic factors while remaining alert to external developments that could affect the industry.

He stressed that petroleum is at the heart of Ghana’s economy and described the downstream sector as highly strategic. “It’s like the nervous system of the entire economy.” He said the government’s management of the sector must therefore take account of both external market conditions and factors within its control. “Petroleum products are at the core of this economy,” he said.