William Owuraku Aidoo (middle) and other dignitaries in a group photo
THE ENERGY Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, says the various promotional programmes carried out by government over the years, have led to some major investments in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector presently.
Such laudable promotional programmes, according to the minister, has consequently led to an increase in the access to LPG, which is currently at 25.3%.
He said this in a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Energy Minister, William Owuraku Aidoo, at the launch of the National LPG Promotion Programme in Obuasi, Ashanti Region, on Tuesday.
The minister added further that in the National LPG Promotion Policy, government has set a target that at least 50% of Ghanaians should have access to safe, clean, and environmentally friendly LPG for domestic, commercial and industrial usage by 2030.
On affordability, the minister acknowledged that the initial investment required to switch to the use of LPG remains a barrier, and that ordinarily, the initial investment cost for a domestic user may include purchasing an LPG cylinder, cookstove, regulator, rubber hose and clippers.
“Government, therefore, plans to provide some of these items for users to incentivise stakeholders and investors and create the enabling environment for expansion in the use of LPG.
“The strategies for this new national-level programme are being implemented under three main modules, and a cross-cutting module for the consolidation of job opportunities. These are the Domestic, Commercial and Industrial modules,” he stated.
The minister added that, “Under the Jobs in LPG Module, the ministry will identify job opportunities that come with the implementation of the various operational modules, and through a partnership with youth employment agencies, to provide a workforce for supporting the implementation of these modules.”
Dr. Prempeh also noted that the rollout of the National LPG Promotion Programme, using the Cylinder Recirculation Module as a vehicle for distribution, will help Ghana achieve its goal in the use of LPG as a clean, safe and healthy cooking fuel and to satisfy Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 and SDG 13.
Addressing would-be beneficiaries of the government’s intervention, the minister encouraged them to sustain the use of LPG and not revert to firewood and charcoal, adding that LPG is the safest, cleanest and healthiest form of cooking fuel available today.
The event, which was chaired by Nana Serwaa Bruwaa II, Queenmother of Akrokerri, also had in attendance various dignitaries including traditional rulers, Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi, Elijah Adansi-Bonah, a representative of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mayor of Kumasi, Sam Pyne as well as officials from the ministry, the District Assembly and a cross-section of the general public.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi