Pumping progress: Can Ghana embrace self-service fuelling without killing jobs?

Not long ago, I found myself in a heated debate with some classmates. The topic was whether or not Ghana is ready to switch to self-service fuelling stations, where drivers pump their own fuel, similar to what is done in countries like the United States.

According to one of them, the President had mentioned plans to introduce this system in Ghana. Although I had not seen any official confirmation, what caught my attention and eventually pushed me to speak was their argument that Ghana is a developing country and therefore cannot implement such a system.

Line of reasoning

This line of reasoning made me pause. Should being a developing country stop us from exploring new and efficient ways of doing things? My answer is a simple no. Development is a complex and multifaceted process. Sometimes, taking bold steps and trying new approaches is exactly how a country develops.

In many parts of the world today, self-service fuelling has become the standard. Drivers pull up, pay digitally, and pump the fuel themselves. This system comes with a number of advantages. It reduces waiting times, allows stations to operate 24 hours, minimises cash handling, and improves transparency and accountability in fuel sales. Countries like the United States have adopted it successfully, and some developing countries like Indonesia are currently piloting the system. On the other hand, countries such as Brazil and South Africa have resisted self-service fuelling, primarily to protect jobs.

Ghana’s reality

That brings us to Ghana’s reality. Thousands of Ghanaians work as pump attendants. Although not always high-paying, these jobs support many families. It is therefore reasonable to be concerned about how a policy like this could affect employment. However, embracing self-service fuelling does not have to mean removing all attendants. A blended model can be adopted where some pumps remain full-service while others are designated for self-service.

Moreover, stations can create new job roles. These might include safety supervisors, mobile money agents, or shop attendants. In fact, some modern fuel stations around the world generate more profit from their convenience stores than from fuel sales. If Ghanaian stations move in that direction, it could open up more employment opportunities rather than fewer.

Ownership structure

Another important point to consider is ownership. Most fuel stations in Ghana are privately owned. Apart from GOIL, which is state-owned, many others like TotalEnergies, Shell, Frimps, and Dukes Petroleum belong to private companies or individuals. Therefore, if the government wishes to introduce a self-service model, it must engage all relevant stakeholders. This situation is different from policies like Free SHS, which was easier to implement because most secondary schools are government-owned. In this case, implementation would require careful collaboration with private sector actors.

To me, the real issue is not whether Ghana is a developing country. That label should not be used as an excuse to avoid progress. After all, Ghana has taken the lead in areas such as mobile money and the national identification system through the Ghana Card. A visitor from a neighbouring country like Togo might walk into a clean, fully digital self-service station in Accra and say, “Ghana is far ahead.” Development does not happen all at once. It occurs in phases and across different sectors. A country can be advanced in one area while still working to catch up in others.

Implementation process

If implemented thoughtfully, this policy could be a step forward not only for fuel retail but also for the broader national conversation on modernisation. It must, however, be approached with care. Government agencies, private fuel station owners, attendants, and the general public all need to be part of the conversation. A pilot initiative in major cities such as Accra and Kumasi would serve as an ideal starting point. With proper planning, public education, and safety measures, Ghana can introduce self-service fuelling without harming livelihoods.

At the end of the day, we must remember that change is not the enemy. Poorly managed change is. Ghana has the capacity to approach this transition in a smart, inclusive, and balanced manner. Being a developing country should not limit our vision. Instead, it should motivate us to be more innovative, efficient, and forward-looking.

The writer, Maxwell Adu Donkor, is a final-year student at the University of Ghana, majoring in Geography and Resource Development and Archaeology. He is passionate about institutional reform, public policy, and national development. Email: adumaxwell742@gmail.com