he Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council have opened discussions on measures to ease growing congestion of petroleum tankers at the Paga border enclave, as cross-border fuel trade with neighbouring countries continues to expand.
The issue was discussed during a courtesy call by the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, on TOR Managing Director Edmond Kombat, with both sides focusing on improving the movement of petroleum products through one of Ghana’s most important northern transit corridors.
The talks come amid increasing queues of Bulk Road Vehicles (BRVs) at the border, a development that has raised concerns about traffic management, public safety, security and the efficiency of regional fuel distribution.
Petroleum transit through the corridor is expected to increase in the coming months as demand grows.
Edmond Kombat, TOR CEO stated.
The warning is significant because the Paga corridor plays a critical role in supplying petroleum products to parts of the Sahel and neighbouring West African markets.
Border congestion becomes a regional trade issue
The discussions reflected a growing recognition that fuel transit is no longer only a local transport problem but an emerging regional trade and logistics challenge.
As demand for petroleum products rises across Ghana’s northern neighbours, the volume of tankers moving through Paga has increased, placing pressure on road infrastructure, customs operations and nearby communities.
Officials discussed a range of measures aimed at improving traffic flow while reducing the risks associated with large concentrations of fuel-laden vehicles.
The proposals included community safety sensitisation campaigns, stronger collaboration with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), stricter customs and weighing-bridge enforcement, and the development of a dedicated tanker yard under a user-pay model.
The possibility of extending transit designation to the Namo border point, alongside Paga, was also considered.
A dedicated tanker yard gains attention
One of the most notable proposals was the creation of a dedicated tanker holding area.
Energy and logistics analysts say such a facility could help reduce roadside parking, improve scheduling of customs procedures and lower the risk of accidents involving petroleum tankers.
A user-pay structure would also be intended to make the facility financially sustainable rather than dependent on continuous public funding.
The objective is to improve traffic flow, enhance safety and security, and support the efficient movement of petroleum products to neighbouring countries,” the discussions emphasised.
If implemented, the proposal would represent a shift from ad hoc congestion management toward a more structured border-energy logistics system.
Customs enforcement and safety move to the forefront
The emphasis on customs checks and weighing-bridge enforcement highlights another concern: the integrity of the transit system.
Overloaded vehicles, irregular documentation and weak enforcement can increase road damage, safety risks and opportunities for diversion of petroleum products.
The Vaultz News
Extractives/Energy
TOR, Upper East Minister Tackle Paga Fuel Bottlenecks
Ivy Opoku Mintahby Ivy Opoku Mintah August 7, 2026Reading Time: 5 mins read
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The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council have opened discussions on measures to ease growing congestion of petroleum tankers at the Paga border enclave, as cross-border fuel trade with neighbouring countries continues to expand.
The issue was discussed during a courtesy call by the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, on TOR Manag…
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