“Many continue to use charcoal as a method of cooking, mainly because of the apprehension associated with the use of LPG, as a result of a series of LPG-related fires in parts of the country in recent times, as reported by the media,” Dr. Mustapha Abdul Hamid said.
He was addressing stakeholders in Takoradi in the Western Region on Friday 3rd November 2023 as part of activities to mark this year’s Consumer Week celebration by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
According to him, although safety remains the primary concern of the government as far as the use of gas is concerned, however, the use of charcoal, predominantly across the country cannot be substituted as the safest.
“We all remember the gas explosion in Sekondi/Takoradi here, which left over 100 people injured during a discharge of LPG. These LPG-related accidents, have caused many deaths, injuries and destroyed properties worth millions of cedis.
“Indeed, the issue of safety has been high on the agenda of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government, and that has culminated in the introduction and implementation of the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM),” he underscored.
According to the NPA CEO, the CRM policy, seeks to develop a market-driven structure to ensure safety and increase access to LPG to 50% by 2030.
“It is also to ensure the existence of robust and standard Health, Safety, and Environmental practices in the production, marketing, and consumption of LPG,” Mustapha Hamid said.
He explained that what Ghanaians need to know is that CRM is here to curb the fear of gas being filled close to homes.
Dr. Mustapha Abdul Hamid observed that despite the frantic efforts being made to reduce or completely eliminate the use of charcoal in the country, there seems to be significant improvement.
“Over the years, consumption of LPG has witnessed a considerable increase. An average of 228,000 metric tonnes of LPG is supplied every year from 2010 to date. This represents 8% of the total average petroleum products supplied to the market.
It is estimated that the auto users of LPG consume about 58% of the total annual LPG supplied, while households, other commercial activities and industry together consume the remaining 42% as of 2013. Consumption of LPG increased to 305,000 metric tonnes in 2020 and is expected to reach 1.2 million metric tonnes by 2030.
This indicates that Ghanaians are beginning to accept LPG as a cheaper fuel and we hope that by 2030, 50% of the consuming public will be using LPG. What is left to achieve is to remind consumers of the safe use of LPG,” he stressed.
Speaking at the event, the Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah also made a passionate appeal to Ghanaians to develop an interest in LPG.
“We call on all stakeholders to support the government to make LPG more accessible and affordable in Ghana and also train consumers in the various communities on the safe use of LPG, highlight the benefits of clean cooking and healthy lifestyle and also policies that support clean energy adoption”
In his address, Deputy Minister for Energy, Andrew Egyapa Mercer pointed out the significance of the use and promotion of LPG in the country.
He said through this promotion, the government intends to distribute two million cylinders nationwide to further boost the coverage of LPG users in the country.
The Consumer Week Celebration is observed each year by the National Petroleum Authority as part of the Global Consumer Service Week celebration.
It is to educate the public on their rights and responsibilities and how to safely use petroleum products.
By: Zambaga Rufai Saminu | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
