By : Mabel Adorkor Annang
A recent mystery shopping audit conducted by the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) found that the majority of fuel retail outlets and refilling plants in the Volta and parts of the Greater Accra Regions are meeting expected safety and operational benchmarks.
This exercise, the third of its kind this year, is part of COMAC’s ongoing efforts to enhance transparency, safety, and operational excellence within Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.
The unannounced visits by COMAC’s team, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Riverson Oppong, along with the Ag. Head of Compliance and Operations, Billey-Abdullah Al-Assad, and Compliance Officer, Mr. Courage Agblevor, covered 100 outlets in key towns including Kpeve, Hohoe, Ho, Sogakope, Keta, and Ada.
These surprise inspections were designed to capture authentic, real-time assessments of the stations’ performance, safety practices, and customer service delivery.
Dr. Oppong revealed that the team discovered issues with some fuel dispensers during the audit. “We will inform the NPA and the Ghana Standards Authority. You’d be surprised some dispensers were either over-delivering or under-delivering. We’ll ensure these are thoroughly checked to protect both our members and the ordinary Ghanaian from being cheated,” he said.
Dr. Oppong also commended the professionalism of front-line workers and the general commitment to quality service observed during the audits.
He emphasized that such dedication is crucial for strengthening public trust in the petroleum sector.
The exercise provides industry players with vital feedback, enabling them to enhance their internal systems and maintain high service standards.
While the majority of outlets performed well, some fuel attendants did highlight challenges affecting their operations.
“Some people complain about our litre price. They say it expensive because others are selling it cheap” A fuel pump attendant complained.
These audits are a component of COMAC’s broader risk-based compliance strategy, which aims to help retail fuel stations modernize their operations and increase accountability to both regulators and consumers.
