Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor flanked by Directors of Sahara Group and invited guests
MT Asharami Ghana, a 40,000-cubic-metre Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier, has delivered 5,000 metric tonnes (MT) of LPG on its maiden voyage to Ghana, which has boosted efforts to strengthen energy security, improve LPG supply reliability and position the country as a strategic hub for regional energy trade.
Purpose-built to serve Ghana and neighbouring markets, MT Asharami Ghana forms part of Sahara Group’s integrated LPG infrastructure strategy.
Welcoming the vessel, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, described its arrival as a major boost to the country’s clean energy ambitions.
“The arrival of MT Asharami Ghana represents a significant step forward in our quest to expand access to cleaner energy solutions for Ghanaians. As we work towards increasing LPG adoption across the country, investments like this are essential to strengthening supply reliability and achieving our clean cooking objectives,” he said.
The Minister said the nation’s ambition to increase LPG utilisation and improve energy security could only be achieved through strong partnerships between the government and responsible private-sector investors.
“We commend Sahara Group for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Ghana over the years in supporting our aspirations for energy security, economic growth and sustainable development. The success of our energy transition journey depends on credible and committed partners,” he added.
According to Wale Ajibade, Executive Director of Sahara Group, the vessel represented far more than an investment in maritime infrastructure, noting that Ghana’s target of increasing LPG adoption to 50 percent of households by 2030, from about 30 percent currently, made investments in supply infrastructure increasingly important.
“At Sahara, we see MT Asharami Ghana as a symbol of confidence in Ghana’s future and the country’s growing role in regional energy trade. It reflects our unwavering belief in Ghana’s immense potential and our determination to work alongside stakeholders to deliver sustainable energy solutions that improve lives, create opportunities and drive inclusive growth,” the Executive Director stated.
He added that the vessel formed part of a broader integrated infrastructure strategy combining shipping, storage and downstream distribution to strengthen the country’s LPG value chain.
The Managing Director of MT Asharami Ghana, Yaa Serwaa Alifo, said the vessel’s arrival represented the company’s vision and a bold statement of its commitment to the country’s energy future.
She said MT Asharami Ghana would help ensure that homes, businesses and families across the country had reliable access to cleaner cooking fuel.
She further acknowledged the support of the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, the National Petroleum Authority, Sahara Group’s leadership and other stakeholders whose collaboration had helped the company to execute the project successfully.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah