Deputy Minister of Energy, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, has assured members of the National House of Chiefs that the new gas policy dubbed “Cylinder Recirculation Model”, will ensure greater safety in the business, reducing the incidence of explosions, while creating jobs for Ghanaians.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a cabinet directive, tasked the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to begin engaging stakeholders in the downstream industry, to find out the possibility of doing away with the existing model of LPG discharge for a much safer and secure method.

The directive was an aftermath of the October 2017 gas explosion at Mansco Gas, Atomic Junction at Madina, a suburb of Accra. The incident claimed more than 3 lives and injured several persons. The explosion was one of the previous ones that had taken place in certain parts of the country, with Kwame Nkrumah Circle and Trade Fair being the worst hit.

Dr Amin, who led a delegation made up of the Chief Executive of NPA, Hassan Tampuli, Directors and Management staff, said the current mode of operating gas is not best practice and in order to avoid future explosions, Ghanaians should embrace the policy which guarantees a reliable supply of gas produced in a secure environment.

Dr Amin assured members of the House of Chiefs that government is committed to working with them in order to birth a policy that also protects jobs of the Ghanaian, encourages LPG penetration across the country and protects the environment.

“The well-being is our citizens remains a major priority to this government and everything will be done to ensure the Ghanaian benefits from this policy,” he told the chiefs.

Later in a presentation, Mr Tampuli renewed the commitment of his outfit to ensure current LPG operators become the key actors in the value chain. Though he admitted the policy is not new, he said the NPA has undertaken extensive study visits to countries currently operating the model, and he’s confident Ghanaians will embrace it.

Mr Tampuli said their aim is to ensure gas becomes affordable, accessible and available to Ghanaians.

“Our gas is cheaper compared to some of our neighbouring countries, and that will continue to guide us in our rollout plan,” he said.

President of the House of Chiefs Togbe Afede advised the team to continue with the consultation and advised his colleague chiefs to take advantage of the policy when it is finally out.

Other ministers who appeared before the House included Gender Minister Otiko Afisa Djaba and Kofi Dzamesi, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.