The Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), Dr. Riverson Oppong, has highlighted worsening security at fuel stations as a major stumbling block to the sector’s participation in Ghana’s proposed 24-hour economy.
Speaking during an interview on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, June 17, Dr. Oppong revealed that while many Oil Marketing Companies have shown willingness to operate around the clock, persistent armed robberies and thefts have made it unsafe to do so.
“There have been real attempts by our members to run 24-hour stations, but robbery attacks, even as early as 8 p.m., have discouraged them,” he said. “I’ve seen the videos. These are not hypotheticals—these are real crimes affecting real businesses.”
The OMCs, Dr. Oppong explained, had begun piloting extended hours in selected locations, only to scale back after becoming targets of violent crime. The economic losses, psychological toll on staff, and overall safety risks have become too great to ignore.
He called for a government-backed security strategy, especially in areas with heavy foot and vehicular traffic such as Dzorwulu and East Legon, to enable safer operations through the night.
“If the police could provide consistent security patrols or posts around designated 24-hour stations, it would help build confidence for extended service delivery,” he suggested.
Beyond physical security, Dr. Oppong also proposed investment in automation, particularly cashless, self-service fuel pumps, to minimize risks for both workers and business owners.
“With automated systems, you eliminate the presence of large sums of cash and reduce the need for many night-shift staff, making it less attractive for criminals,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when government officials are pushing for a 24-hour economic model to boost productivity, employment, and service access. However, Dr. Oppong stressed that the safety of frontline businesses like fuel stations must be a top priority if that vision is to be realized.
“The 24-hour economy isn’t just about ambition. It requires infrastructure, safety, and operational readiness. Fuel stations are a backbone of service, but they can’t be expected to operate all night without real support,” he concluded.
