Vivo Energy Ghana has intensified calls for stronger safety preparedness across the downstream petroleum sector, warning that operational excellence means little without the ability to respond effectively when emergencies occur.
The exclusive distributor and marketer of Shell-branded fuels and lubricants delivered the message at its 2026 Safety Day celebration held at Airport Shell in Accra under the theme, “Prepare to Respond.” The event brought together regulators, transporters, contractors, retailers and employees to reinforce a culture of safety throughout the petroleum value chain.
The event, which featured a live emergency simulation exercise, sought to test response coordination, communication systems and decision-making processes in the event of a major industrial incident, reflecting the growing emphasis on preparedness within the energy sector. The exercise formed part of Vivo Energy’s global 2026 safety campaign aimed at strengthening emergency response capabilities across its 28 African markets.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, said safety in the petroleum industry must remain a constant priority because of the potentially devastating consequences of accidents involving fuel transportation, storage and retail operations.
“In our industry, safety is not optional. Before a tanker moves, before a nozzle is lifted, before a product reaches a customer, critical safety decisions are made,” she said.
According to her, many major incidents recorded globally within the petroleum sector can be traced to weaknesses in risk assessment, transport safety and operational controls.
She stressed that organisations must not only focus on preventing incidents but must also invest in their ability to respond effectively when emergencies arise.
“True safety leadership is not only about preventing incidents, but also about being prepared to respond effectively,” Professor Klutse said.
She highlighted the importance of maintaining critical safety systems, including fire suppression equipment, emergency shutdown mechanisms, site-specific response plans, regular drills, audits and preventive maintenance programmes.
“A safety system that is not tested or maintained is not protection; it is a false assurance,” she added.
Professor Klutse praised Vivo Energy Ghana’s safety performance, revealing that the company has now exceeded 5,600 Goal Zero days—representing more than 15 years without a significant safety or environmental incident. The company reached the 5,000-day milestone in September 2024 and has continued to extend the record through strict adherence to its Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Quality (HSSEQ) standards.
She attributed the achievement to discipline, accountability and a collective commitment to ensuring that employees, contractors and business partners return home safely every day.
The EPA Chief Executive further challenged transporters, service station operators, contractors and employees to remain vigilant and comply fully with safety protocols.
“Someone else’s incident is our warning,” she said, urging industry players to learn from accidents occurring elsewhere and proactively address potential risks before they escalate.
Addressing journalists after the event, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana, Christian Li, described safety as the foundation upon which the company’s operations are built.
He said the Safety Day celebration was intended not only to recognise stakeholders who contribute to the company’s strong safety record but also to reinforce the need for constant preparedness.
“We are celebrating the people and stakeholders who help us to be who we are today. We are celebrating more than 15 years without injury. We have been able to protect our communities, our employees and our environment,” Li said.
He noted that while prevention remains the primary objective, organisations must ensure that all safety devices, emergency systems and response procedures remain fully functional and effective.
“Beyond being proactive, we want to ensure all safety devices and processes are in place and working so that if there is any issue, we can respond effectively—not only for ourselves but also for the communities and stakeholders we work with,” he said.
Li described safety as a continuous learning journey, explaining that Vivo Energy constantly reviews operational experiences, near misses and industry incidents to strengthen its systems and procedures.
“Every unsafe condition is a warning to us. We learn from ourselves, we learn from the industry and we train our people continuously so that we remain safe and keep our environment safe,” he added.
As part of the celebration, Vivo Energy Ghana honoured employees, contractors, transporters and business partners who demonstrated exceptional commitment to safety performance, reinforcing the company’s long-standing Goal Zero ambition of causing no harm to people and minimising environmental impact.
