NPA, Judiciary mull dedicated Petroleum Court to fast-track fuel offence prosecution
By DL News
Published
1 min read
The proposal was tabled during a meeting between NPA Chief Executive Godwin Kudzo Tameklo and Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, at the Office of the Chief Justice.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Judiciary are considering the establishment of a specialised Petroleum Court to handle fuel-related offences with speed and consistency.
The proposal was tabled during a meeting between NPA Chief Executive Godwin Kudzo Tameklo and Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, at the Office of the Chief Justice. The discussions focused on the persistent challenges the NPA faces in prosecuting criminal cases in the downstream petroleum sector.
While acknowledging the sector’s rapid expansion since 2005 and the influx of investment, Mr. Tameklo pointed out that regulatory enforcement has not kept pace, leaving room for criminal practices that threaten both industry integrity and national energy security.
He stressed the need for judicial support to address this gap. “Delays in prosecuting fuel-related offences erode public confidence and embolden wrongdoers,” Mr. Tameklo stated. “We’re seeking either a dedicated court or a system where a judge regularly handles these cases to deliver justice efficiently.”
Though the NPA already holds prosecutorial powers—granted in 2020 under E.I. 378—Mr. Tameklo noted that regular court backlogs make it difficult to prosecute petroleum offences swiftly. He emphasized that a tailored judicial approach would strengthen deterrence and regulatory credibility.
In response, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie welcomed the idea, saying it “merits serious exploration,” though he cited the judiciary’s current shortage of judges and high caseloads as a major hurdle. As a short-term solution, he proposed allocating two days every two weeks within an existing court to hear petroleum-related cases exclusively.
The Acting Chief Justice further expressed concern about the growing culture of indiscipline in both the public and private sectors, saying consistent enforcement of laws is the only way to reverse the trend.
The dialogue between the NPA and the judiciary signals a collaborative effort to bring discipline and structure to Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry.
