Spill Notification Point

Competent National Authority

Response Arrangements

Ghana has a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) which is periodically updated. The lead agency for dealing with oil spills is the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, which works in conjunction with the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) (under the direction of the Ministry of Transport). The Chief of the Ghana Navy would provide the on-scene commander to coordinate military involvement in spill reconnaissance and clean-up at sea. The Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority is the designated agency for Tier 1/2 spills in harbour areas.

The Maritime Pollution Act was passed into law in 2016 and provides for the prevention, regulation and control of pollution within Ghana’s territorial waters and incorporates most of the marine pollution conventions ratified by Ghana.

Oil companies operating in Ghana have their own spill response plans which are integrated with the national plan.

In the event of a major oil spill, it is likely that assistance would be sought from overseas in accordance with the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC 1990). The Customs, Excise & Preventive Service and Immigration Department would expedite the temporary import of equipment and experienced personnel should the need arise on a request from EPA. If additional overseas resources were required, EPA in conjunction with the oil industry would arrange for assistance from Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) in Southampton, UK.

EPA, in accordance with relevant Memoranda of Understanding and relevant international conventions (such as Abidjan Convention), may also assist or receive assistance from neighbouring countries in relation to oil spill incidents.

Response Policy

The National Plan gives containment and recovery as the preferred policy options for oil spill response. Dispersant use, however, is listed as being both feasible and desirable in some cases. EPA is responsible for its authorisation. Any clean-up would involve manual shoreline cleaning due to the predominantly onshore winds for much of the year.

Disposal options include landfill, burning, recycling recovered oil at a refinery or reusing in industry.

Equipment

Government

It is understood that there is very little dedicated oil spill response equipment available in Ghana. The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority have two tugs at Tema and one tug at Takoradi fitted with booms, skimmers and tank receptacles.  Also, some vacuum trucks are available. Military sources under the control of the on-scene commander would provide aircraft for surveillance and monitoring duties.

Private

Spill equipment is held by oil companies operating in the country. In addition, both mechanical and agricultural equipment suitable for beach cleaning, and labour, are available commercially. Tank trucks and pumps are also available commercially. Locally readily available waste materials (coconut husk and poultry feathers) are suitable as cheap sorbents.

Previous Spill Experience

There does not appear to have been any major spills in Ghana waters. Small spills have been reported at the Tema oil refinery and at the ports of Tema and Takoradi.

Compensation

* not yet in force 

Regional & Bilateral Agreements

• Abidjan Convention (with states of the West and Central African Region).

Date of issue: August 2018