Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector could be losing as much as GHS 3 million every month due to weaknesses in the country’s fuel monitoring system, according to the Center for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (SEMSE).
The energy policy think tank says persistent discrepancies in petroleum volumes transported across the country point to significant flaws in the current tracking infrastructure, raising concerns about revenue losses, fuel shortages and possible product contamination.
Speaking on the issue, SEMSE Executive Director Benjamin Nsiah revealed that intelligence gathered by the organisation suggests that petroleum products valued at approximately GHS 3 million go unaccounted for each month along major distribution routes, including the Accra-Kumasi corridor.
According to him, the losses affect multiple players within the petroleum value chain, from tanker owners and transport operators to fuel marketers and consumers who ultimately bear the cost of inefficiencies in the system.
Beyond the financial impact, the organisation is also raising concerns about reports of fuel contamination within parts of the distribution network, particularly along routes associated with the Bulk Energy Storage and Transportation Company (BOST).
As Ghana’s primary petroleum storage and transportation agency, any weaknesses within the monitoring system could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s fuel supply chain and economic stability.
SEMSE believes the current tracking system has become outdated and is no longer capable of effectively monitoring the movement of petroleum products across the country.
The organisation is therefore urging the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and BOST to fast-track the deployment of a modern technology-driven tracking system capable of monitoring fuel movements in real time.
Under such a system, fuel compartments on tankers would be electronically monitored from loading points to final destinations, allowing operators to detect unauthorised access, route deviations, delivery delays, volume discrepancies and possible tampering.
SEMSE argues that adopting real-time digital monitoring would significantly improve transparency, strengthen accountability and help regulators curb revenue leakages within the sector.
The warning comes as Ghana continues efforts to improve efficiency across critical sectors of the economy and safeguard public revenue amid ongoing fiscal pressures.
Industry observers note that losses within the petroleum supply chain cannot be treated as routine operational challenges given the strategic role fuel plays in transportation, manufacturing, mining, agriculture and power generation.
The reported discrepancies have also triggered governance concerns, with questions being raised about how such losses are tracked, reconciled and addressed by regulators and industry operators.
Fuel contamination remains another major concern. Experts warn that contaminated fuel can damage vehicle engines, increase maintenance costs, undermine confidence in fuel retailers and expose regulators to public criticism.
In severe cases, fuel adulteration and contamination can also pose environmental and safety risks.
SEMSE maintains that Ghana’s growing petroleum market requires more sophisticated oversight tools than the largely manual systems currently in place.
Modern fuel monitoring technologies combine GPS tracking, electronic seals, real-time volume measurement, automated reconciliation and digital reporting, providing regulators with stronger oversight and reducing opportunities for manipulation.
The organisation believes these systems would not only protect public revenue but also support legitimate transport operators and fuel marketers by ensuring greater transparency throughout the supply chain.
If the estimated GHS 3 million monthly loss continues unchecked, the annual cost could exceed GHS 36 million.
For SEMSE, the case for modernising Ghana’s fuel tracking infrastructure is therefore not just a technical matter but an economic necessity.
The organisation is calling on the NPA and BOST to investigate the reported losses, publish corrective measures, accelerate the rollout of digital tracking solutions and enforce sanctions where wrongdoing is identified.
According to SEMSE, maintaining trust in the petroleum supply chain is critical for consumers, marketers, transporters and regulators alike.
