The Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy has continued its oversight mandate with a working visit to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) as part of efforts to deepen understanding of the regulator’s operations and strengthen collaboration with Parliament.
Sighted at the official Facebook page of the Parliamentary of Ghana, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, explained that the visit was aimed at familiarising members with the Authority’s work and identifying areas where legislative and institutional support may be required to enhance efficiency in the downstream petroleum sector.
He emphasised that the NPA plays a critical role in regulating Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry, which remains central to the country’s energy security and economic stability.
“We are here to understand your operations better and to see how Parliament can support your work in ensuring efficiency and stability in the petroleum downstream sector,” Hon. Bedzrah said.
He further indicated that the Committee is particularly interested in assessing the country’s current petroleum stock levels to determine whether Ghana is adequately prepared to meet national demand in the event of supply disruptions.
According to him, emerging global developments, including heightened geopolitical tensions such as the ongoing US–Iran conflict, could have ripple effects on global oil supply and pricing, with potential implications for Ghana’s energy market.
“We are concerned about global developments that could affect supply chains and prices. It is important that Ghana remains adequately prepared in terms of petroleum stock and regulatory safeguards,” he noted.
Hon. Bedzrah also revealed that the Committee will soon engage further with the NPA on a proposed new petroleum legislation. He said a draft of the bill is expected to be reviewed and may be presented to Parliament under a certificate of urgency due to its importance to the sector.
The working visit forms part of ongoing parliamentary oversight activities aimed at strengthening governance and ensuring stability within Ghana’s energy sector.
Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan