The downstream petroleum sector does far more than distribute fuel, the Chief Executive of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), Dr. Patrick Kwaku Ofori, has said.
He makes the point that the downstream sector keeps Ghana’s economy moving,
He was speaking at the 7th edition of the Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GHiPCON-2026), in Accra on Thursday, July 16.
“The downstream petroleum sector does far more than distribute fuel. It keeps our economy moving.
“Resilience is not measured by how we perform when conditions are favourable; it is measured by how prepared we are when they are not,” he said.
CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has said that investment remains the engine that will drive expansion, modernisation and competitiveness.
Without sustained public and private investment, he said, it will be difficult to build the infrastructure, technology and human capital necessary to support Ghana’s long-term energy aspirations.
He was speaking during the Ghana International Petroleum Conference in Accra on Wednesday, July 16.
“We recognise that regulation should not merely enforce compliance; it should inspire confidence, encourage innovation and facilitate responsible investment,” Mr Tameklo said.
For his part, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Jinapor, said that over the past few years, global energy markets have experienced profound disruptions.
He said geopolitical tensions, supply chain constraints, volatility in international prices, shifting investment patterns and the evolving global energy transition have reshaped the way nations think about energy security.
These developments have reinforced an important lesson: resilience is not built when a crisis occurs; resilience is built long before the crisis arrives, he said,
It is built through deliberate policy choices, strategic investments, innovation and strong partnerships, he added.
Dr Jianpor said that for Ghana, the downstream petroleum sector remains one of the most critical foundations of the economy.
“It powers transportation, supports industry, drives agricultural productivity, enables mining activities, facilitates commerce and sustains the daily lives of millions of Ghanaians,” he said.
He stated that the performance of this sector affects every household and every business in the country.
“A reliable, efficient and resilient downstream industry is therefore essential not only for energy security but also for economic competitiveness, industrial growth and national development.
He recognised and commended all stakeholders across Ghana’s downstream petroleum value chain for the resilience, professionalism and commitment demonstrated during one of the most challenging periods in recent times.
“Despite severe disruptions in global energy markets and heightened geopolitical tensions, Ghana maintained uninterrupted availability of petroleum products across the country. Businesses continued to operate. Industries remained productive. Essential services continued without disruption.
