NPA warns illegal fuel operators against smuggling - Destroys 7 boats in Tema
The Ghana Navy has seized seven canoes and quantities of suspected synthetic oil linked to illegal petroleum activities at Tema.
The operation was jointly coordinated by the Eastern Naval Command, the Naval Training Command, and the Special Boat Squadron, with personnel carrying out surveillance and enforcement activities both on land and at sea.
The seven dinghies, an outboard motor and quantities of drums and gallons containing suspected crude oil, were destroyed after the intelligence-led operation conducted both on land and at sea between January 12-14, this year.
The leaderships of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Eastern Naval Command disclosed this during a visit to the Tema Fishing Harbour to inspect the boats and their subsequent destruction last Tuesday.
Speaking during the tour and destruction of the seized smuggling boats at the Tema Harbour, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NPA, Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, reaffirmed his outfit's commitment to combating illegal petroleum activities through intensified collaboration with the Ghana Navy.
He warned perpetrators that enforcement efforts would not relent, stating that although operators often fled during raids, authorities would continue targeting their boats, fuel products and eventually prosecute offenders when arrested.
Mr Tameklo said the exercise formed part of ongoing operations aimed at reducing illegal fuel transportation on Ghana’s water bodies.
He referenced a recent joint operation at the Western River Base in Sekondi, where authorities destroyed dinghies used to smuggle petroleum products into the country.
Strong deterrent
According to Mr Tameklo, the destruction of the boats was intended to serve as a strong deterrent to individuals engaged in illegal petroleum trade.
He explained that unregulated fuel smuggling allows adulterated and contaminated petroleum products to enter the market, posing serious risks to consumer safety while also causing significant revenue losses to the state.
The NPA boss praised the Ghana Navy for its support across the country’s western and eastern maritime zones, describing the security agency’s role as crucial in helping the NPA clamp down on illegal bunkering operations.
"I just want to thank you and your men for the excellent collaboration with the NPA to ensure that we, like you pointed out earlier, completely eradicate or minimise the incidence of illegal petroleum activities on our water bodies," he told the Western Naval Commanding Officer.
He stressed that authorities would continue to seize and destroy vessels and petroleum products used in such activities.
Fuel arms trafficking
Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Solomon Asiedu, said the illegal fuel smuggling operations on the country’s waters posed broader national security threats, including the potential trafficking of arms and weapons.
Commodore Asiedu explained that the Ghana Navy views the use of dinghies and canoes for illegal petroleum transport as part of a dangerous network that could also be exploited for gun-running and other criminal activities capable of threatening national security.
He stressed that the Navy’s objective was not to destroy livelihoods but to protect the country by dismantling illegal maritime operations and deterring individuals involved in such activities.
According to him, the destruction of seized boats was intended to send a strong warning to perpetrators and others considering engaging in similar crimes.
"We are ever ready, waiting on you and whenever we do any arrests, we will bring them to you. Not only you, all the other stakeholders who may require our services, be it drugs, the fishing industry and any other maritime industry that uses the sea that requires our services," the Flag Officer Commanding said.
