By Maxwell Woyram Tsigbe
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has marked this year’s World Consumer Rights Day to intensify awareness of consumer rights and protection against unfair trade practices.
Held at its head office at Dzorwulu in Accra under the local theme: “Safe Products, Confident Consumers in Ghana’s Downstream Petroleum Sector,” the Authority cautioned the general public against the syphoning of petroleum products from overturned fuel tankers when transporting contents to their respective depots.
According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr. Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe Esq., the Authority is collaborating with the Ghana Police Service to investigate and arrest individuals who engaged in the act in recent times. He further emphasised the risks associated with crashed fuel tankers and urged the public to keep a distance in order to save lives and properties.
In his keynote address, Mr. Tamakloe also emphasized the importance of critically examining challenges affecting the industry and finding feasible solutions to them. He called on stakeholders particularly Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to save consumers from the adverse impacts of substandard petroleum products by prioritising quality products over quantity in an attempt to maximize profit.
“In recognition of the need to protect the consumer rights by ensuring that at all times consumers receive safe petroleum products in line with evolving consumer expectations and growing importance of consumer protection, the National Petroleum Authority has recently strengthened its institutional focus on consumer welfare by elevating the Consumer Services Department previously under Corporate Affairs into full fledge Consumer Services Directorate,” – Mr. Tamekloe stated.
Meanwhile, the Director of the West African Regional Centre for CUTS International, Mr. Appiah Kusi Adomako Esq., urged the public to demand value for money whenever they visit the pumps. He said consumers of petroleum products must demand for the 10-liter measuring can to enable them ensure the accuracy of the paid quantity.
Organized under the global theme for this year’s celebration: “Safe Products, Confident Consumers,” the event brought together key stakeholders including the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), Ghana Private Roads Transport Union (GPRTU), and the Ghana Standards Authority to deliberate on issues in the sector.
The World Consumer Rights Day is observed on 15th March every year as a means of raising global awareness about consumer rights and needs. It aims to demand that the rights of all consumers are respected and protected, and to protest against market abuses and social injustices which undermine those rights.
