BY NADIA NTIAMOAH
Vivo Energy Ghana PLC, the exclusive distributor and marketer of Shell-branded fuels and lubricants in Ghana, has renewed its commitment to safety leadership and emergency preparedness with the celebration of its 2026 Safety Day and Awards.
Held at the Airport City Shell service station in Accra under the theme “Prepare to Respond,” the event brought together employees, regulators, industry leaders, business partners, transporters, retailers, members of the media and other stakeholders in the downstream petroleum sector.
The celebration comes at a time when safety remains a major concern across the petroleum industry, particularly amid operational risks associated with the transportation, storage and distribution of petroleum products.
Recent industry engagements involving the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) have drawn attention to concerns including tanker-related accidents, fuel siphoning at accident scenes and the need for stronger safety practices throughout the downstream petroleum value chain.
Against this background, Vivo Energy Ghana used the annual Safety Day to emphasise the importance of proactive risk management, continuous training and cooperation among industry stakeholders to protect lives, property and infrastructure.
Safety Day forms part of the company’s broader Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Quality (HSSEQ) agenda and provides an opportunity for the company to reinforce vigilance, accountability and preparedness among its employees and business partners.
This year’s theme, “Prepare to Respond,” focused on the need for people, systems and processes to be adequately prepared to respond quickly and responsibly when emergencies occur.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana, Christian Li, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to making safety an integral part of its operations.
He said the company’s safety culture is anchored on its core values of Safety, Excellence, Caring, Respect and Integrity, pointing to Vivo Energy Ghana’s achievement of more than 5,600 Goal Zero days with zero harm.
“The future of safety will not be defined by luck, but by preparation. Safety does not happen by accident; it is deliberate, disciplined, and a collective responsibility,” Mr. Li said.
The event also placed significant emphasis on the environmental dimension of safety, particularly given the potential impact of petroleum operations on communities, water resources, ecosystems and public health.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, commended Vivo Energy Ghana for what she described as its leadership in safety and environmental stewardship.
She stressed that emergency preparedness should not be limited to responding to incidents after they occur but must also incorporate prevention, regulatory compliance, vigilance and environmental protection.
“Preparing to respond means preparing to prevent. Together, by fostering a culture of compliance, vigilance and safety, we can protect our people, preserve our environment, and secure a sustainable future for the generations to come,” Professor Klutse said.
The call for collective responsibility was further reinforced by the Board Chairman of COMAC, Gabriel Kumi, who praised Vivo Energy Ghana for its efforts to promote stronger safety standards and responsible practices within the industry.
According to him, effective safety management requires strong leadership, sound systems, continuous learning and commitment from all stakeholders involved in the petroleum value chain.
“Safety remains a shared responsibility, and our actions, decisions, inactions, and preparedness can make a meaningful difference when situations demand a response,” he noted.
A major feature of the celebration was a panel discussion involving representatives from the Ghana National Fire Service, COMAC, transporters and retailers.
The discussion examined ways of strengthening emergency preparedness across the downstream petroleum industry, with participants focusing on risk management, emergency communication, continuous training and the importance of developing a proactive safety culture.
Panellists also shared practical experiences from the industry and stressed the need for strict compliance with established safety procedures, regular training and stronger collaboration among operators, regulators, transporters and retailers.
The celebration also featured the 2026 Safety Awards, through which Vivo Energy Ghana recognised employees, transporters, contractors and retailers for outstanding commitment to safety and operational discipline.
The awards were intended to recognise individuals and teams whose vigilance, leadership and adherence to safety practices continue to contribute to the company’s Goal Zero ambition.
