General News
Poor Treatment of Tanker Drivers Causing Stress, Accidents and Welfare Concerns — Kojo Preko Dankwah
The host of Kessben Maakye Morning Show, Kojo Preko Dankwah, has raised serious concerns about the treatment and welfare of tanker drivers, warning that poor working conditions are contributing to stress, road accidents, vehicle damage and broader safety challenges.
Speaking on Kesben FM, Mr Dankwah argued that the welfare of tanker drivers must be treated as an important component of safety within Ghana’s petroleum downstream sector.
According to him, drivers who spend long hours working under difficult conditions without adequate comfort or proper welfare arrangements may become stressed and less comfortable behind the wheel, potentially increasing the risk of accidents.
“You are hurting the system. Drivers’ welfare is becoming a problem. If they are working but do not have comfort and happiness to drive, what do you expect?” he questioned.
He expressed concern over what he described as the repeated accidents involving tanker trucks, asking authorities and industry stakeholders to investigate the operational conditions surrounding the incidents.
“We are seeing large numbers of these tankers getting involved in accidents back-to-back. What is going on with the operation? It should be stopped and looked at,” he said.
Mr Dankwah also called for the possible reintroduction of the T-bar system as a measure to improve accountability and transparency in the handling and transportation of petroleum products.
He argued that the system had previously provided a clear mechanism that allowed stakeholders to identify and monitor the measurement process.
“If it is the T-bar that will be reintroduced, then use that measure so everyone will know that it is the T-bar. That was what we were using, and it was working well. It should be brought back so tanker drivers will be comfortable,” he stated.
He further drew attention to concerns surrounding the operations at the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) Terminal 3 in Kumasi, particularly allegations of fuel shortages, road deterioration and fuel theft.
According to him, tanker drivers are being placed under significant pressure over alleged shortages recorded during the loading and discharging of petroleum products.
He questioned the fairness of imposing severe consequences on tanker drivers and tanker owners when the alleged shortages may be linked to operational challenges at the depot.
“If indeed between 200 and 400 litres are short every day, for tanker drivers to face punishment and tanker owners to face punishment, while you risk GH¢10 million, it is not fair,” Mr Dankwah said.
He stressed that the issue should not be viewed solely as a matter of enforcing discipline against drivers, but also as a broader safety and welfare concern that requires urgent attention from petroleum-sector authorities and management.
He also raised concerns about the condition of roads around the Kumasi Terminal 3 area, arguing that poor road conditions involving heavy tanker traffic could further expose drivers, other road users and communities to danger.
Mr Dankwah therefore called on BOST management, petroleum-sector regulators, tanker owners and other stakeholders to examine the entire operational system and address the underlying challenges rather than placing the burden solely on tanker drivers.
He maintained that protecting the welfare of tanker drivers is essential because they are responsible for transporting petroleum products across the country, and their working conditions can directly affect road safety and the security of petroleum products.
“The safety risk and the welfare of the ordinary tanker driver are important,” he stressed.
His comments come amid continuing concerns about petroleum product handling at BOST’s Kumasi Terminal 3, where disputes over product shortages, measurement systems, tanker operations and alleged fuel losses have generated tension within the downstream petroleum industry.
Mr Dankwah is therefore urging stakeholders to find a transparent and reliable system for measuring petroleum products, improve conditions for tanker drivers and address operational challenges at the depot to prevent further accidents, road damage and losses within the petroleum supply chain.
