The Ghana Navy, in collaboration with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has destroyed 10 locally manufactured canoes, popularly known as “dendeys”, used in illegal bunkering operations. The action forms part of ongoing efforts to safeguard Ghana’s maritime domain, curb illicit petroleum activities and protect the national economy.
The dismantling took place at the Fishing Harbour in Tema on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. The action forms part of sustained, intelligence-led operations by the Ghana Navy to disrupt the infrastructure that enables unregulated fuel smuggling along the coast.
The Chief Executive Officer of NPA, Mr Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, described the exercise as robust and commended the Ghana Navy for its commitment to combating maritime illegalities. He noted that illegal bunkering and fuel smuggling result in significant revenue losses through tax evasion, pose national security threats and undermine efforts to ensure fuel quality control.
He stressed that smuggled petroleum products bypass the rigorous fuel-marking scheme of the National Petroleum Authority as well as standard testing procedures conducted by the NPA and the Ghana Standards Authority, thereby endangering consumers and creating unfair competition for compliant Oil Marketing Companies.
The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Asiedu-Larbi, reaffirmed the commitment of the Ghana Navy to safeguarding the country’s territorial waters under the strategic leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing. He stated that naval patrols would be sustained on a 24-hour basis to ensure the protection of Ghana’s maritime domain.
Commodore Asiedu-Larbi further expressed appreciation to the NPA for its institutional support, resource sharing and intelligence collaboration, emphasising that effective inter-agency cooperation remains critical in addressing maritime economic crimes.
