As a way of gaining insight into the LPG supply problems that Ghana is currently facing, the Energy Center (TEC), KNUST has commenced a seminar series on the topic - LPG in Ghana: From Crisis to 50% Access.
Ghana’s Ministry of Energy is targeting a 50% access to LPG in Ghana by 2015. Current estimate of LPG access is about 10%, and unfortunately the nation has for some time been contending with LPG supply difficulties. The seminar series is aimed at understanding the current supply situation and its implications for the 50% target, including possible pathways to achieve it. In view of this, the seminars consider various themes such as: LPG production, storage, pricing and distribution in Ghana.
The Seminar Series is being held over a period of 8 weeks; every Wednesday 12noon – 1:30pm, from 7th September to 26th October. Speakers have been drawn from private business and Non-Governmental, Government and Community-Based Organizations.
The first in the series was held on 7th September, 2011. The speaker for that seminar was Dr. Alfred Ofosu Ahenkorah, the Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, who gave the audience an exposition on the progress of LPG use in Ghana, the increase in the demand since its introduction in Ghana and the current issues pertaining to the crisis.
Mr. Alex Mould, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Ghana was present at the second seminar, which took place on 14th September. In his presentation, he spoke about the infrastructural issues that have led to the current LPG crisis and gave some recommendations as to how they can be resolved to enable the country to meet our target of 50% access.
The speaker for the third seminar, Dr. Yaw Akoto, Chief Executive Officer of Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) Co. Ltd. He spoke about the current means of transportation and logistics of LPG in Ghana. Since transportation is key in providing LPG access in Ghana, Dr. Akoto noted that improvement in logistics and storage of LPG will go a long way to help Ghana achieve its goals of 50% access.
On 5th October Mr. Seth K. Nanemeh, the Managing Director of Anasset Company Limited, a private owned LPG marketing and distribution company gave an exposition on the marketing issues pertaining to LPG supply and distribution. In his delivery he noted LPG marketing has an important role to play in achieving 50% access for Ghanaians by 2015.
The Chairman of NewEnergy, a Non- Governmental Organisation which seeks to improve access to energy and water in Ghana, Mr. Amadu Mahama was the speaker on 12th October. In his delivery, he called for a new business model in the LPG storage and distribution method in Ghana by providing more LPG cylinders and decentralising the storage.
The series is currently in its sixth week and there will be two more seminars in the coming weeks. The schedule for the rest of the seminar series is as follows:
19th October, 2011: Mr. Ishmael Edjekumhene (Director, KITE.)
26th October, 2011: Dr. Paul Frempong (Director, Petroleum Directorate, Ministry of Energy).
The seminars are attended by Fellows of The Energy Center and the University community, including staff and students. It is open to the general public.
To view or download presentations made at the seminars click here