Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has begun stakeholder consultations on a new draft bill that seeks to overhaul the country’s legal and regulatory framework for the petroleum downstream sector. The engagement, held on Monday, 25 August, brought together industry players, government officials, and experts to deliberate on the proposed law, which is expected to replace the current NPA Act (Act 691) enacted in 2005.
The forum, organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, was chaired by the Minister, John Abdulai Jinapor, who was joined by his Deputy, Richard Gyan-Mensah, and senior officials from the ministry.
In his welcome address, the Acting Chief Executive of the NPA, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, explained that the current legal framework no longer adequately addresses the realities of Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector, which has grown rapidly in the past two decades.
He said, “The current Act, which was enacted in 2005, is 20 years old, and in the life of a fast-growing industry like the petroleum downstream, that is enough time for deeper reflection on the journey thus far. Fortunately, Ghana has some of the finest minds in the petroleum downstream industry, experts, associations and practitioners, to help us shape perhaps the next 20 years of the NPA.”
According to Tameklo, the new draft bill aims to provide a comprehensive and forward-looking regulatory framework that is responsive to both present and future challenges in the sector. He assured stakeholders that their inputs will be fully captured during the review process, saying the Authority remains committed to continuous engagement with all industry players.
For his part, Minister Jinapor welcomed the contributions made by participants and stressed the government’s commitment to transparency and inclusiveness in reforming the downstream petroleum industry.
He said, “This stakeholders’ forum demonstrates government’s commitment to transparency, reform and inclusiveness, even as we move towards a more robust and efficient petroleum downstream sector.”
The Minister added that the review comes at a critical time, as the world faces heightened calls for energy sustainability, security, and efficiency. He noted that Ghana must strengthen its petroleum sector’s regulatory framework to remain competitive, attract investment, and respond to global energy transitions.
According to Jinapor, the draft bill will not only serve as a legal framework for the industry but also provide guidance on policy issues and the formulation of strategic initiatives to drive growth. He explained that the document will be submitted to Cabinet for approval before being laid before Parliament for debate and eventual passage into law.
The Energy Minister also underscored that while Ghana is committed to energy transition and sustainable development, the petroleum downstream sector will continue to play a critical role in the country’s energy mix, requiring strong oversight and modern regulations.
During the forum, industry stakeholders, including fuel distributors, oil marketing companies, and experts, took turns to present their views on the draft bill. Contributions ranged from calls for greater clarity in licensing regimes, consumer protection measures, pricing mechanisms, and environmental safeguards, to stronger institutional capacity for the NPA.
Participants also emphasised the need for the bill to strike a balance between investment attraction and consumer affordability, ensuring that petroleum products remain accessible while creating room for innovation and competition in the sector.
Analysts say the review of the NPA Act is long overdue, given the sweeping changes in Ghana’s energy sector since 2005, including liberalisation, increased private sector participation, regional integration, and the global drive towards cleaner energy. Updating the law is expected to ensure that the regulatory framework is not only aligned with global standards but also tailored to Ghana’s national priorities.
The forum concluded with a commitment from both the NPA leadership and the Ministry of Energy to carefully study all inputs received before finalising the draft bill. For stakeholders, the process marks an important opportunity to shape the future of Ghana’s petroleum downstream sector, which remains a pillar of the national economy, contributing significantly to government revenues, employment, and energy security.
With the new bill expected to be presented to Parliament in the coming months, industry analysts will be watching closely to see how the proposed reforms address long-standing challenges in pricing, supply chain efficiency, investment regulation, and sustainability.
