Seven dinghies, an outboard motor and several drums and gallons containing suspected crude oil were destroyed by the Eastern Naval Command following an operation conducted on both land and sea in Tema.
The controlled destruction of the seized vessels was supervised by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) at the Tema Fishing Harbour last Tuesday.
The Ghana Navy, during an intelligence-led operation conducted between 12 and 14 January resulted in the seizure of seven canoes and quantities of suspected synthetic oil linked to illegal petroleum activities.
The operation was jointly coordinated by the Eastern Naval Command, the Naval Training Command, and the Special Boat Squadron, with personnel carrying out surveillance and enforcement activities.
Related Article: NPA, Navy destroy illegal fuel-carrying canoes
Speaking during the tour and destruction of the seized smuggling boats at the Tema Harbour last Tuesday, the Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Godwin Edudzi Tameklo reaffirmed his outfit's commitment to combating illegal petroleum activities through intensified collaboration with the Ghana Navy.
Mr Tameklo warned perpetrators that enforcement efforts would not relent, stating that although operators often flee during raids, authorities would continue targeting their boats, fuel products and eventually prosecute offenders when arrested.
He said the exercise forms part of ongoing operations aimed at reducing illegal fuel transportation on Ghana’s water bodies.
He referenced a recent joint operation at the Western River Base in Sekondi, where authorities destroyed dinghies used to smuggle petroleum products into the country.
Strong deterrent
According to Mr Tameklo, the destruction of the boats is intended to serve as a strong deterrent to individuals engaged in illegal petroleum trade.
He explained that unregulated fuel smuggling allows adulterated and contaminated petroleum products to enter the market, posing serious risks to consumer safety while also causing significant revenue losses to the state.
The NPA Boss praised the Ghana Navy for its support across the country’s western and eastern maritime zones, describing the security agency’s role as crucial in helping the NPA clamp down on illegal bunkering operations.
"I just want to thank you and your men for the excellent collaboration with the NPA to ensure that we, like you pointed out earlier, completely eradicate or minimize the incidence of illegal petroleum activities on our water bodies," he told the Western Naval Commanding Officer.
He stressed that authorities would continue to seize and destroy vessels and petroleum products used in such activities.
"You have our full support. We will be there to support you in whatever you do and let me say that you can always count on the National Petroleum Authority. Our work is to collaborate in the efforts to safeguard Ghana and also make sure that we get the right thing done."
Fuel arms trafficking
Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Solomon Asiedu said the illegal fuel smuggling operations on Ghana’s waters pose broader national security threats, including the potential trafficking of arms and weapons.
Commodore Asiedu explained that the Ghana Navy views the use of dinghies and canoes for illegal petroleum transport as part of a dangerous network that could also be exploited for gun-running and other criminal activities capable of threatening national security.
He stressed that the Navy’s objective is not to destroy livelihoods but to protect the country by dismantling illegal maritime operations and deterring individuals involved in such activities.
According to him, the destruction of seized boats is intended to send a strong warning to perpetrators and others considering engaging in similar crimes.
He reaffirmed the Eastern Naval Command’s readiness to collaborate with the National Petroleum Authority and other stakeholders, including anti-drug and fisheries authorities, to safeguard Ghana’s maritime space.
"We are ever ready, waiting on you and whenever we do any arrests, we will bring them to you. Not only you, all the other stakeholders who may require our services, be it drugs, the fishing industry and any other maritime industry that uses the sea that requires our services," he said.
Further details
In a statement read by Deputy Cammand Operations Officer, Lt Cdr Dorothy Osei Anaso, the Ghana Navy outlined a series of intelligence-led operations targeting illegal petroleum smuggling activities along Ghana’s waters.
Lt Cdr Anaso revealed that on 11 March, naval intelligence operatives intercepted another illegal bunkering activity at the Tema Fishing Harbour, resulting in the seizure of a dinghy and about 8,000 litres of suspected crude oil.
She said another anti-narcotics operation on 27 March led to the confiscation of fuel-filled gallons and a canoe, which were later handed over to the appropriate authorities.
According to her, the suspected crude oil has been handed over to the NPA for investigations and further action.
She said the public destruction of the boats at the Tema Fishing Harbour was intended to serve as a strong deterrent to individuals involved in illegal petroleum activities, reaffirming the Navy’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s territorial waters and combating illegal bunkering operations.
