In a decisive move to address longstanding inefficiencies in Ghana’s petroleum supply chain, Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has pledged to take personal responsibility for ongoing challenges in laycan management—while unveiling plans for sweeping downstream sector reforms.
Speaking during a high-stakes meeting with stakeholders on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Mr. Jinapor said the government is shifting its focus from finger-pointing to tangible solutions aimed at improving coordination, efficiency, and infrastructure within the energy sector.
The meeting, which convened top representatives from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST), Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), COPEC, and others, marked a turning point in sector-wide efforts to streamline petroleum logistics.
Minister Takes Ownership and Promises Roadmap
Addressing what many industry insiders describe as persistent scheduling and supply chain bottlenecks, Mr. Jinapor made a pointed declaration:
“I take full responsibility for the challenges associated with laycan. I’m not here to play the blame game,” he said. “The industry deserves a clear path forward—and you will have that. We will soon publish a roadmap to resolve these challenges.”
Laycan—short for “laydays cancelling”—refers to the critical scheduling window during which oil tankers are expected to arrive for loading or unloading. Delays or mismanagement at this stage often lead to demurrage charges and fuel supply instability.
Mr. Jinapor emphasized that laycan schedules must be adhered to rigorously, with exceptions made only under unavoidable circumstances. The directive signals a stronger regulatory posture aimed at reducing cost overruns and inefficiencies across the petroleum distribution chain.
Modernising the Downstream Sector
In addition to addressing laycan scheduling, the meeting also served as a platform to launch discussions on broader reforms within the downstream petroleum industry. Key reform areas include digital monitoring, regulatory compliance, and storage infrastructure upgrades.
One of the more ambitious components of the government’s plan is the construction of a new mooring system, aimed at easing congestion and facilitating faster turnaround for petroleum tankers.
“We must invest in infrastructure if we’re to achieve energy reliability and price stability,” the Minister said. “This new mooring system is not just a fix—it’s part of a comprehensive transformation strategy.”
Industry Reaction and Expectations
Stakeholders at the meeting welcomed the minister’s willingness to engage openly and accept responsibility. Representatives from CBOD and COPEC acknowledged the need for structural reforms, especially given the growing demand for petroleum products and global supply chain volatility.
Industry analysts suggest the roadmap, once published, could become a blueprint for broader regional reforms if implemented successfully.
Toward a Greener, More Efficient Future
As Ghana navigates its energy transition, Mr. Jinapor’s leadership signals a pragmatic approach—balancing green ambitions with the immediate need to stabilise the petroleum sector. The coming weeks will be critical as the Ministry rolls out its promised roadmap and begins work on the infrastructure upgrades.
For now, stakeholders are cautiously optimistic, hoping that this latest intervention will translate into measurable improvements across the supply chain.
