The Minister for Energy and Green Transition has underscored the need for a comprehensive review of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Act 691 of 2005, to strengthen regulation and align the petroleum downstream sector with Ghana’s energy transition agenda.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement on the NPA Bill, 2024, the Minister said the review is critical to positioning the industry to thrive in a competitive, evolving, and sustainable environment.

The engagement brought together industry stakeholders, chief executives of state agencies, association leaders, and key players in the petroleum downstream sector.

Highlighting the objectives of the review, the Minister outlined three priority areas:

Strengthening Regulation: Enhancing the effectiveness and fairness of the regulatory framework to meet the needs of the industry.

Energy Transition Alignment: Ensuring the downstream sector integrates cleaner and alternative fuels, while encouraging private investment in low-carbon energy solutions.

Private Sector Participation: Creating an enabling environment for increased private sector involvement in sustainable energy development.

The Minister stressed that the review process must be collaborative and inclusive, with active contributions from stakeholders across the industry.

“The review is not the sole responsibility of the government.

The input and expertise of stakeholders are crucial to developing a legal framework that is effective, fair, and responsive,” the Minister noted.

Expressing optimism, the Minister said the collective expertise and commitment of stakeholders will ensure a successful review process, leading to a downstream petroleum sector that meets current national needs while laying the foundation for a greener, more sustainable future.