The 24-Hour Economy Authority and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to synchronize Ghana’s petroleum sector with the nation’s 24-hour economic agenda.
The agreement, signed in Accra on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, creates a strategic framework to ensure that fuel stations, refineries, and bulk storage depots operate seamlessly day and night to power a growing industrial appetite.
The partnership isn’t just about keeping the lights on at gas stations; it is a critical infrastructure play designed to support specific economic pillars, including:
Providing energy for 24/7 food processing plants;
Supporting factories that require constant power and transport; and
Ensuring transporters on routes like Accra-Kumasi never run out of fuel, regardless of the hour.
”To the factory owner in Tema or the trader in Tamale, the message is simple: If you are ready to grow, we are building the system to support you,” said Mr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy.
Under the new MoU, the NPA will take the lead on regulatory readiness.
This means fuel operators transitioning to a 24-hour cycle must meet strict new standards, including mandatory security agency deployment, upgraded lighting, fire safety, digital fuel monitoring, and specialized protocols to protect and manage workers on night shifts.
Mr. Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, Esq., CEO of the NPA, emphasized that the move aligns regulatory mandates with national goals.
“We will ensure that the standards for 24-hour operations are clear, enforceable, and designed to protect workers and consumers alike,” he stated.
The rollout will begin with a nationwide pilot program covering approximately 10% of the downstream petroleum sector. Immediate priority is being given to security deployment to ensure the safety of staff and assets during late-night hours.
A Steering Committee has already been formed, involving a massive coalition of stakeholders including the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), the Ghana National Tanker Drivers Union (GNTDU), the Ghana Police Service, the National Security Secretariat, and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The 24-Hour Economy Authority is an initiative aimed at expanding Ghana’s productive capacity and promoting value-added exports through a 24-hour operational cycle. Similarly, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is the statutory body regulating Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry to ensure efficiency and consumer protection.
This collaboration marks a significant step in transforming Ghana from a traditional daylight economy into a competitive, “always-on” global player.
By 1960news.com
