A recent report by the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE) has highlighted alarming working conditions in Ghana’s petroleum sector. The Petroleum Industry Employee Welfare Survey (PIEWS) reveals that tanker drivers, essential to the nation’s fuel supply, are grossly underpaid and exploited.
The report shows that 72% of drivers earn between GH₵ 1,000 to GH₵ 2,000 monthly, barely sufficient to support their families. Only 4% earn GH₵ 3,000 or more, leaving thousands in near poverty. Furthermore, 19% of drivers report that their employers do not pay their Social Security (SSNIT) contributions, leaving them without a safety net.
The report stated that, 65% of drivers claim their employers do not cover medical bills, despite the physical toll of long hour driving. Alarmingly, 35% of drivers have never received safety training, despite driving huge tankers filled with explosive fuel with zero training on how to keep themselves or others safe, posing risks to themselves and others.
CEMSE recommends a comprehensive overhaul of the system, including enforceable wage increases, mandatory medical coverage, proper pension schemes, and loans for struggling drivers. The report urges the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to take action against exploitative employers and address this national scandal.
