TIG Post

Tag: LPG

  • Tsatsu Tsikata drags Kofi Akpaloo to court over defamatory remarks

    Tsatsu Tsikata drags Kofi Akpaloo to court over defamatory remarks

    Presidential candidate of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Kofi Akpaloo, is facing a defamation lawsuit from renowned Ghanaian lawyer Tsatsu Tsikata.

    Kofi Akpaloo had alleged that lawyer Tsikata has thrown his support behind the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama due to personal gains.

    He has alleged that Mr. Tsikata is working hard to regain uncompleted state contracts he earned while Mahama was president.

    Akpaloo’s remarks came after Mr. Tsikata openly announced his decision to vote for Mr. Mahama, highlighting the accomplishments of his previous administration as proof of his capabilities.

    Mr. Tsikata stated, “Mahama’s performance is better than what we’ve seen over the past eight years,” he added.

    Drawing comparisons between the records of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) governments,

    However, the claimant has described these allegations as “egregious falsehoods” intended to tarnish his reputation.

    The defamation suit was filed by Mr. Tsikata’s legal team, led by Tony Lithur of Lithur Brew and Company.

    Mr. Tsikata has requested that the defendant damages as compensation for the harm caused to his reputation. Additionally, he has called for punitive costs to be imposed on Mr. Akpaloo as a deterrent to prevent future occurrences.

    He is also seeking injunctions to have the false statements removed from all digital platforms linked to GHOne TV and EIB Network.

  • Don’t grant visas to persons who will disrupt December polls – Kofi Akpaloo to European Embassies

    Don’t grant visas to persons who will disrupt December polls – Kofi Akpaloo to European Embassies

    Presidential candidate for the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Kofi Akpaloo, has called on European embassies to implement visa bans on individuals who cause disruptions during the upcoming December 7 elections.

    He argued that such measures would serve as a deterrent to electoral misconduct, preventing offenders from leaving the country.

    This request comes in response to the United States’ recent decision to impose visa restrictions on individuals who undermine Ghana’s democratic processes. The policy, which was announced on October 28, 2024, focuses on specific individuals rather than targeting the entire population or government, as outlined in Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.

    Speaking to the press, Akpaloo revealed that he had personally approached U.S. Ambassador Virginia Evelyn Palmer, urging her to encourage European embassies to adopt similar policies. He believes such actions would enhance the credibility of Ghana’s electoral process and foster accountability among all parties involved.

    “Looking at the way things are going, I think this election is going to be more peaceful. Recently, we all heard from the American Embassy that anybody who is going to cause chaos will be denied a Visa to travel outside the country.

    “I spoke to the American ambassador as I was seated beside her to ask the European counterpart to also issue the same statement and she said yes, she is going to do that very soon, and she believes the British high commission is going to follow suit”.

  • He enjoyed the best deals during his regime – Kofi Akpaloo on Tsikata’s support for Mahama

    He enjoyed the best deals during his regime – Kofi Akpaloo on Tsikata’s support for Mahama

    Presidential candidate for the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Kofi Akpaloo, has responded to renowned lawyer Tsatsu Tsikata for praising John Mahama’s tenure as President ahead of the December 7 presidential election.

    The former CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) stated, “Mahama’s performance is better than what we’ve seen over the past four years.”

    In response to these remarks during an interview on GHOne TV, Kofi Akpaloo contended that Mr. Tsikata’s praise for Mahama was largely due to the advantages he enjoyed during Mahama’s presidency.

    “He said so because he was getting contracts under Mahama, so why wouldn’t he say that? He was getting the best deals. So, definitely, he will praise Mahama. Those who were getting the goodies will naturally remember him and say such things to praise him,” Akpaloo alleged.

    The distinguished lawyer has announced his support for John Mahama, highlighting the successes of Mahama’s previous term as proof of his ability, especially when contrasted with the performance of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in the past eight years.

    “I’m voting for John Mahama,” Tsikata stated during an interview with Accra-based GHOne TV.

    According to Mr. Tsikata, John Mahama’s accomplishments clearly demonstrate his capacity to drive national development. He also emphasised that “the failures of this [NPP] government are clear.”

    Watch video below:

  • How will votes for Akua Donkor be treated in light of her passing? – Akpaloo to EC

    How will votes for Akua Donkor be treated in light of her passing? – Akpaloo to EC

    The presidential candidate for the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Mr. Kofi Akpaloo, has expressed concern over the late Madam Akua Donkor’s photo appearing on the presidential election ballot for December 7, 2024.

    He described it as unfortunate and reiterated his call for the Electoral Commission to issue new ballot papers excluding her photo, as she represented the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP).

    Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Akpaloo dismissed the argument that reprinting the ballots would incur additional costs for the country.

    He emphasized that preserving Akua Donkor’s image on the ballot could potentially influence the results of the election.

    The LPG presidential candidate further noted that if a new candidate had been officially approved to take her place, the Electoral Commission would have had no choice but to print new ballots.

    “Including Akua Donkor’s picture on the ballot paper will cause problems. Given that Akua Donkor is no longer alive, how will her votes be counted in the presidential polls, which are calculated by percentage?

    Should votes cast for her be nullified or counted? We recommend the EC reprint ballot papers excluding Akua Donkor’s picture to prevent a losing candidate from contesting the results based on percentage discrepancies.”

    Will we vote and count votes for a ghost? Those who claim this would be expensive have no idea what they are saying. Why are we rushing around and refusing to do what is right? The best way to deal with this is to exclude her from the ballot. These are some of the things we should not encourage, especially as we litigate every aspect of our electoral processes.

    Whatever the case may be, we are going to spend money, so we should do the right thing and print a new ballot without her photo. Is this how we will handle the situation if someone from the NDC or NPP dies? We should not deal with this with our emotions but with the law.”

  • Ghanaian child below 18 will receive GHC500 monthly if elected – Akpaloo

    Ghanaian child below 18 will receive GHC500 monthly if elected – Akpaloo

    Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) presidential candidate Kofi Akpaloo has pledged significant financial support for Ghanaian citizens, vowing to deliver monthly allowances of GHC500 for children under 18 and GHC700 for unemployed adults.

    In an interview on Channel One TV’s Face to Face with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Akpaloo shared his vision for direct financial relief, urging Ghanaians to elect him in the December elections.

    “When they vote for me, I’m going to put money directly into people’s pockets. Every child in Ghana below the age of 18 years will receive a monthly child benefit of GHC500.

    “Those who are above 18 years, who are unemployed, will be given income support of GHC700,  then we are going to amend SSNIT law, so that those of you who are working when you lose your job, SSNIT will pay you unemployment benefits.”

    He also promised income support of GHC700 for unemployed individuals over 18.

    Mr Akpaloo further proposed amending the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) law to provide unemployment benefits for workers who lose their jobs, creating a more secure safety net for Ghanaians.

  • Ghanaians opting for charcoal as LPG prices soar, threatening climate goals

    Ghanaians opting for charcoal as LPG prices soar, threatening climate goals

    Many households are turning to charcoal as a more affordable cooking alternative as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices continue to soar in the country.

    LPG prices have been gradually increasing in recent months, affecting various cylinder sizes. A 6 kg cylinder that was previously sold for GHC 60 now costs over GHC 100, while the 15 kg cylinder has risen from GHC 200 to more than GHC 245.

    In a hotline documentary dubbed “Gas to Charcoal” by JoyNews, residents of Dromankese in the Nkronza North District indicate that it is more economically beneficial to use charcoal than LPG.

    Evans Ohenegyan, presiding member of the district, in his analysis, notes that GHC 50 worth of charcoal could last for a month, whereas spending GHC 220 to purchase LPG lasts a month as well. “The LPG I use, anytime I go and fill, I spend GHC 220 before I am able to fill it. But the charcoal, right now, is GHC 50 here. I can use it for three weeks or sometimes one month. So you compare the two, and you will see that the gas is very expensive.”

    The spokesperson for the drivers’ association within the charcoal distribution chain, Kamal, said, “We need Ghana to boost the charcoal business. If they collapse this business, we would die of hunger. They purchase the charcoal.”

    The same can be said for food vendors in Tamale, who are alternating between charcoal and gas usage to cut down on costs, as charcoal is more affordable. “Every day, it (LPG) is increasing. When we bought GHC 200 last year, we could use it for one week, but currently, you can fill it for GHC 300, and in three days, it will get finished. So that forces us to use firewood and charcoal,” a vendor said.

    It is believed that the price of LPG is skyrocketing due to a fall in the supply of the product. However, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has issued assurances that there is adequate LPG available to meet national demand.

    In recent weeks, the Western and parts of the Central Region have experienced disruptions in LPG supply due to a power challenge at the Ghana National Gas Processing Plant in Atuabo. This issue impacted the processing of natural gas, which is the primary source of LPG in the country. Consequently, the NPA directed LPG Marketing Companies (LPGMCs) to source LPG from Tema to serve their retail outlets in these affected areas.

    As of October 9, 2024, the NPA confirmed that the opening stock of LPG was sufficient to last nearly two weeks of national consumption. Additionally, the Sentuo Oil Refinery has been consistently producing LPG to support the market’s daily needs.

    Ghana is set to receive more than 20,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) between October 21 and 27.

    This shift from LPG to charcoal poses significant challenges to the country’s climate goals, as the increased reliance on charcoal exacerbates deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Burning charcoal and firewood releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Inhaling smoke from burning charcoal and firewood can cause respiratory diseases, including asthma, bronchitis, and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD).

    The Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE) has sounded the alarm over a recent surge in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, warning it could undermine progress in adopting cleaner energy within the transport sector.

    Ghana is actively pursuing a transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy sources. The country is already engaged in significant initiatives aimed at achieving this transition, which includes a target of integrating 10% of renewable energy into its energy mix by 2030 and the development of an energy transition framework.

    The government has supported the distribution of over 1.5 million improved biomass cookstoves since 2021 and is currently supporting the distribution of another 500,000 biomass-improved cookstoves.

    Parliament in September approved a $250 million loan agreement to fund Ghana’s Energy Sector Recovery Programme (ESRP). The loan, secured from the International Development Association of the World Bank Group, aims to reduce electricity purchase costs, boost revenue collection for distribution utilities, and enhance the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)’s financial management.

    It will also support the National Liquefied Petroleum Gas Promotion Programme (LPGPP), which aims to achieve a 50% LPG access goal by 2030. The agreement, initially rejected on July 30 due to concerns that $90 million was allocated for consultancy, was revisited after further scrutiny. Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin referred the matter to the Finance Committee for additional review.

    In African countries such as Mozambique, Uganda, Mali, Zambia and Congo DRC, charcoal usage is more common than gas.
    The United Nations under its Sustainable Development Goal 7 seeks to ensure that by 2030, there is universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

  • Mahama will lose Volta Region votes to me – Akpaloo

    Mahama will lose Volta Region votes to me – Akpaloo

    The Flagbearer of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Kofi Agbenu Akpaloo, has boldly declared that his party will secure more votes in the Volta Region than the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming elections.

    Akpaloo emphasized that the NDC no longer holds the dominance it once had in the region.

    “NDC has no stronghold in the Volta Region anymore. Oh yes, I can tell you I will beat the NDC in the Volta Region,” he said.

    He expressed strong belief in his party’s rising influence in the Volta Region, an area traditionally viewed as an NDC stronghold. He pointed to the large turnout at LPG’s recent event in Ho as evidence of the party’s growing popularity.

    As a native of the Volta Region, Akpaloo believes his local roots and his position as the only presidential candidate from the region will work to his advantage.

    He also drew attention to his number five position on the ballot paper, which he feels resonates with the Volta Region. “I’m the only Voltarian in this race, and number five. Number five spells V-O-L-T-A, Volta, the first Voltarian to be here,” he explained.

    Mr Akpaloo’s optimism stems from the overwhelming support seen during LPG’s manifesto launch in the Volta Region, which, according to him, demonstrated the party’s strong foothold and his belief in victory over the NDC.

    “Over there, you would have noticed that the turnout was fantastic. People didn’t believe that LPG would draw such a large crowd for an event of that nature in Ho, because they think it’s an NDC stronghold,” he said.

  • Over 20,000 metric tonnes of LPG to be delivered between Oct 21 and 27 – NPA

    Over 20,000 metric tonnes of LPG to be delivered between Oct 21 and 27 – NPA

    Ghana is set to receive more than 20,000 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) between October 21 and 27, 2024, to help stabilize supply amid concerns about potential shortages in parts of the country.

    The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) made this announcement, reassuring the public that there is currently enough LPG in the country to meet national demand.

    Recent disruptions in LPG supply, particularly in the Western and Central Regions, were caused by a power challenge at the Ghana National Gas Processing Plant in Atuabo, which affected the processing of natural gas, the primary source of LPG. In response, the NPA directed LPG Marketing Companies (LPGMCs) to load from Tema to serve outlets in the affected areas.

    As of October 9, the NPA confirmed that LPG stocks were sufficient to last nearly two weeks of national consumption. Additionally, the Sentuo Oil Refinery has been producing LPG daily to support the market.

    The upcoming delivery of over 20,000 metric tonnes is part of the NPA’s efforts to ensure a continuous flow of LPG under its LPG Tender program. This initiative aims to maintain adequate supply to meet the demands of consumers across the country.

    However, the NPA noted that some LPGMCs boycotting the Quantum LPG Terminal and the Tema Multi-Product Terminal has put added pressure on other depots in Tema, limiting the daily volume of LPG that can be loaded. Despite this, the Authority assured the public that there is no immediate threat of LPG shortages.

    “The Authority is collaborating with all stakeholders to prioritize loading for the Western Region to resolve ongoing supply challenges,” the NPA stated.

    Additionally, the Ghana National Gas Processing Plant is expected to resume full production by October 15, 2024, which will further support the supply of LPG. The NPA pledged to keep the public informed about any developments regarding the plant and the LPG supply chain.

    This latest shipment of LPG is expected to stabilize the market and alleviate concerns raised by consumers.

  • There is adequate LPG in the country to meet national demand – NPA assures

    There is adequate LPG in the country to meet national demand – NPA assures

    The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has assured Ghanaians that there is sufficient Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country to meet national demand, despite recent reports of a potential shortage.

    The NPA explained that the Western and parts of the Central Region receive LPG from the Ghana National Gas Processing Plant in Atuabo. However, a recent power challenge affected the processing of natural gas essential for LPG production, causing supply disruptions.

    In response, the Authority directed LPG Marketing Companies (LPGMCs) to source LPG from Tema for their retail outlets in these affected regions.

    According to the NPA, a check with the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) on October 8, 2024, confirmed that the power issue has been resolved, although the Gas Processing Plant has not yet resumed full production. The plant is expected to return to regular output by October 15, 2024.

    The NPA further reassured the public that there is ample LPG in the country, stating, “The opening stock of LPG as of October 9, 2024, was enough to last almost two weeks of national consumption.” Additionally, the Sentuo Oil Refinery is producing LPG daily to support the market.

    Looking ahead, the NPA announced that over 20,000 metric tonnes of LPG are scheduled for delivery between October 21 and 27, 2024, as part of the LPG Tender program.

    The Authority noted that some LPGMCs’ boycott of the Quantum LPG Terminal and Tema Multi-Product Terminal has intensified pressure on the remaining depots in Tema. The refusal of these companies to load from the terminals has restricted the volume of LPG that can be processed daily from these facilities.

    To alleviate any concerns, the NPA reassured the public that “there is no threat to the supply of LPG in the country and no imminent shortage of the product.”

    The Authority is actively collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure that loading to the Western Region is prioritized to address the current challenges in that area.

    Meanwhile, the NPA confirmed its commitment to working closely with the Ghana National Gas Company to monitor the resumption of regular production at the Gas Processing Plant and promised to keep the public updated on developments.

  • Gas prices to surge next week amid shortage – LPG Marketers warn

    Gas prices to surge next week amid shortage – LPG Marketers warn

    The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Marketers Association of Ghana has issued a warning about a potential gas shortage in the market starting next week, which could lead to a surge in prices.

    According to the association, the current LPG reserves in the country are dwindling, exacerbated by new regulations imposed by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) on gas imports. Gabriel Kumi, Vice President of the association, indicated that the existing stock of LPG is not sustainable and will be depleted within a week.

    “There is a significant shortage in the system. The 10,000 metric tons that have recently arrived will be exhausted by the end of the week. If we don’t bring in another shipment of gas by next week, we will face a serious shortage situation,” he warned. Kumi also mentioned that fluctuations in international market prices could lead to further increases.

    He pointed out that the Atuabo Gas Plant, which typically meets 45 to 50 percent of the national demand, has been underperforming for the past month, compelling LPG marketers to rely heavily on imports. “We believe the only way to avert the shortage is for the NPA to instruct the Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) to expedite imports so we can adequately serve the public,” he suggested.

    The association previously reported LPG shortages across various regions on September 26, warning that the situation could worsen if BDC supplies do not improve. Kumi stated at that time, “If this problem isn’t addressed today, we could enter the weekend facing severe shortages. About 60 to 70 percent of us have run out of LPG.” He noted that the few stations still stocked with gas were under immense pressure.

    In response to the crisis, the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) assured that the issues were being resolved, attributing the shortages to initial challenges with the BDCs.

    A source from TOR stated, “We expect supplies to improve very soon and for the situation to normalize.”

  • LPG supply delays due to inadequate tanks – NPA’s Abass Tasunti 

    LPG supply delays due to inadequate tanks – NPA’s Abass Tasunti 

    The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has highlighted the difficulties surrounding the supply and storage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Ghana.

    During an interview on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, October 4, Abass Ibrahim Tasunti, the NPA’s Director of Regulation and Planning, pointed out that a significant factor contributing to occasional supply delays is the lack of adequate storage tanks for LPG.

    He clarified that the NPA’s responsibilities include continuously monitoring stock levels to ensure that the country maintains sufficient reserves. However, he acknowledged that while reserves do exist, they are not always enough to satisfy demand.

    “The issue was about access to the product. As I said, the reserve was in the tank. It was just signing off to say that we have agreed on the quantities that were discharged that caused a delay in selling the product today, for example,” he stated.

    A significant difference between LPG and other petroleum products, like petrol and diesel, is their storage capacity.

    While petrol and diesel can be stored for as long as seven weeks, LPG has a much shorter storage duration.

    Abass Tasunti revealed, “We don’t have adequate storage tanks for LPG, so LPG, you can go as far as maybe two weeks, three weeks to last.”

    He attributed the lack of sufficient storage infrastructure to minimal investment in LPG storage tanks.

    To tackle this issue, the NPA has implemented initiatives like the Tender Program, aimed at ensuring a consistent supply of LPG.

    Abass Tasunti noted that this program secures a reliable flow of the product by managing the timely importation process.

    “Last week, we did a tender for the supply for November and December. So already the process has come on for companies to deliver for November and December consumption,” he noted, assuring Ghanaians that the current stock would last for the rest of October.

    Private sector participation has been vital in expanding LPG storage capacity over the years. Tasunti acknowledged that several private companies have invested in new storage terminals, particularly in Tema.

    “In Tema, for example, two new ones came on board recently. So with time, companies are building, and we have had a request from other companies to build LPG terminals,” he shared.

    He also noted that, at one point, Ghana relied solely on Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), but now, there are five LPG terminals in the Tema area.

    “We can do with more,” he added, emphasizing the need for continued investment in this area.

    Tasunti also addressed recent disruptions in LPG supply, citing a delay caused by the discharge process.

    “We had product that was LPG which was going to last us about a month. The peculiar thing with LPG, unlike petrol and diesel, is that for petrol and diesel, you could have sometimes more than seven weeks to last of products,” he explained.

    He clarified that the delay was caused by the process of verifying and reaching agreements on the quantities being unloaded.

    In addition to the issues related to importation and storage, local production of LPG at Atuabo has played a vital role in ensuring a steady supply.

    Abass Tasunti recognized that there were recent challenges at Atuabo but assured the public that these have now been addressed.

    “We have Atuabo, which is producing… they had some challenge, but they have come on board now,” he stated.

    Abass Tasunti stressed the NPA’s ongoing commitment to monitoring LPG stocks and maintaining a reliable supply through investment and strategic planning.

    “Our work is to always monitor the stocks and ensure that we have a plan that ensures that we have continuous LPG coming into the system,” he affirmed.

    As Ghana continues to expand its LPG infrastructure, Abass Tasunti believes that further investment in storage will be critical to overcoming current supply challenges and ensuring energy security for the country.

  • Calls for forensic audit is irrelevant – Akpaloo to NDC

    Calls for forensic audit is irrelevant – Akpaloo to NDC

    The flagbearer of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Kofi Akpaloo, has rejected the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) demand for a forensic audit of the 2024 voters register, describing it as futile and a waste of time.

    He contended that with less than three months to the December 7 elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) does not have adequate time to undertake such an audit.

    The NDC has raised concerns about alleged inflation of the voters register with ineligible individuals, calling for a thorough audit.

    However, during an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on Tuesday, October 1, Akpaloo urged the NDC to drop the call, asserting that it would only serve as a distraction from critical election preparations.

    “We have almost 65 days until the elections and EC is expected to audit the register within the next 60 days. When are we going to do this forensic audit involving 275 constituencies, 40,000 polling stations, and 18 million voters? Who is going to do this auditing in less than 60 days and so NDC, please stop this request because it will not help anybody.”

    Kofi Akpaloo further defended the Electoral Commission (EC), dismissing the NDC’s claims that the voters register is filled with ghost names.

    He argued that these allegations would not negatively impact the outcome of the December 7 polls, insisting that the register remains reliable for the election.

    Akpaloo emphasized that such concerns should not derail the focus on essential election preparations.

    “Mind you, this is a biometric register and no dead person can come out of the grave to vote and so if there is a dead person on the register, it will not affect the results so please, this one is a non-starter and you shouldn’t have even sent that request here and you have wasted everybody’s time”

    “The EC too needs to be commended for the work that they did and it demonstrates the fact that it is up to the task and must be commended and I am not going to accept that human error institution excuse,” Kofi Akpaloo added.

  • LPG shortage in Accra leaves consumers struggling amid high demand

    LPG shortage in Accra leaves consumers struggling amid high demand

    Several Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consumers in Accra encountered difficulties at various gas stations due to an unexpected shortage of the product.

    Signs reading “No Gas” were displayed at station entrances, forcing customers to either go back home or try their luck at other outlets for LPG availability.

    The increased demand for LPG has resulted in long queues at the few stations where the fuel is still available.

    Meanwhile, industry experts have warned that the situation may escalate, potentially leading to widespread closures of gas stations if the shortage isn’t resolved.

    Gabriel Kumi, Vice President of the LPG Marketers Association (LPGMA), in an interview with Channel One TV, emphasized the gravity of the issue. He warned that if supply from Bulk Oil Distributors does not improve soon, stations may face complete shutdowns by the weekend.

    “My checks this morning indicate that about 70% of LPG outlets in the Greater Accra Metropolis have run out of gas. If the situation does not improve, this could rise to about 80%, and if the situation is not averted, by the close of tomorrow, we expect all LPG stations in Greater Accra to run out of gas,” he said.

    Reacting to this, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) said it is working assiduously to avert the crisis.

  • TOR guarantees swift resolution for LPG shortage affecting some regions

    TOR guarantees swift resolution for LPG shortage affecting some regions

    Certain regions in the country are experiencing a shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

    On Thursday, September 26, 2024, Joy Business reported seeing lengthy queues at various LPG stations across the Greater Accra region.

    The LPG Marketers Association of Ghana has cautioned that the situation may worsen if there isn’t a prompt improvement in supplies from the Bulk Oil Distributors.

    “If this problem is not resolved today, then it means going into the weekend, we are likely to have a serious shortage issues. About 60 to 70 percent of us have run out of LPG”, Vice President of the association, Gabriel Kumi told Joy Business.  

    He revealed that the limited LPG stations are already feeling the strain because of the current situation.

    “This is putting a lot of pressure on the 40 to 30 percent that have the product. If we don’t get the supplies from the BDCs, then by close of tomorrow Friday, September 27, the whole system will be dried up”, he cautioned again.

    The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has confirmed that the problems have been addressed.

    TOR stated that the difficulties arose from initial issues with the Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs).

    A representative from TOR informed Joy Business, “WWe expect supplies to improve very soon for the situation to be normalize” a source at TOR told the media.”

  • Parts of the country record LPG shortage – Report

    Parts of the country record LPG shortage – Report

    Several parts of the country, including the Greater Accra region, have been hit by a shortage of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).

    On Thursday, September 26, 2024, a report by Joy Business observed long queues at some LPG stations as consumers rushed to secure supplies amidst growing concerns.

    The LPG Marketers Association of Ghana has warned that the situation could worsen if supply from Bulk Oil Distributors (BDCs) is not restored soon. Vice President of the association, Gabriel Kumi, cautioned that up to 70% of stations have already run out of LPG.

    “If this problem is not resolved today, then it means going into the weekend, we are likely to have a serious shortage. About 60 to 70 percent of us have run out of LPG,” Mr Kumi is quoted to have said Joy Business.

    He also noted that the remaining stations with LPG are facing overwhelming pressure due to the scarcity. “This is putting a lot of pressure on the 40 to 30 percent that have the product. If we don’t get the supplies from the BDCs, then by close of tomorrow Friday, September 27, the whole system will be dried up,” he cautioned further.

    In response, the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has assured the public that the issue is being addressed. According to a source at TOR, the shortage was caused by initial challenges with the BDCs, but supplies are expected to improve soon.

    “We expect supplies to improve very soon for the situation to normalize,” the source told Joy Business.

  • Chop bars, school caterers to switch to cleaner LPG cookstoves from October

    Chop bars, school caterers to switch to cleaner LPG cookstoves from October

    Traditional food vendors, known locally as “chop bars,” along with school feeding caterers in Accra, will gain access to efficient and cleaner-burning LPG cookstoves through a new initiative spearheaded by Envirofit in October this year.

    This social enterprise, known for its innovative smart energy solutions, plans to open a second production facility to manufacture these commercial LPG cookstoves.

    Envirofit’s Chief Technology Officer, Nathan Lorenz, explained to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the initiative aims to lower fuel costs for food vendors, reduce their reliance on charcoal, and improve overall worker health. A pilot project preceding this larger rollout indicated a high level of interest among food vendors in switching to these improved cookstoves.

    “The chop bar operators are waiting to switch to the new technology. We are seeing fuel energy budget of food vendor reducing between 40 to 60 percent. It is clean, fast, healthy and convenient,” he said.

    “Ghana is not the only market of our focus but other West African countries. We are recruiting highly skilled artisans from in country at our factory for production and after sales service.”

    Envirofit Ghana Limited’s General Manager, Emmanuel Osae-Nyarko, highlighted that the majority of food vendors currently use wood-based stoves. The transition to LPG cookstoves is expected to significantly enhance their operations by reducing fuel costs, cutting down cooking time, and enabling them to serve their customers more efficiently.

    Osae-Nyarko also pointed out that this initiative aligns with Ghana’s broader environmental goals, contributing to global efforts in ecosystem conservation, restoration, and sustainable use. Additionally, the project is expected to create jobs for young people across various sectors, including manufacturing, marketing, and capacity building.

    One of the vendors who participated in the pilot project, Janet Sesi, praised the new cookstove for its time-saving benefits.

    She also noted an improvement in the sanitary conditions at her chop bar due to the use of the cleaner cookstove.

    As part of its climate mitigation strategy under Article 6.2, Ghana is working to generate demand for 24 million tonnes of carbon.

    Since 2020, the country has signed cooperative agreements with Switzerland, Sweden, Singapore, and South Korea to mobilize sustainable financing for its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) programs.

    The clean cooking initiative is one of 54 projects in various stages of development, with the potential to attract over $850 million in funding.

  • Marketers Association debunks no LPG shortage despite Atuabo Plant shutdown

    Marketers Association debunks no LPG shortage despite Atuabo Plant shutdown

    The LPG Marketers Association has denied claims of a product shortage in the market.

    During an interview with Channel One News, the Association’s president, Gabriel Kumi, stated that there is sufficient gas to meet consumer demand despite the scheduled maintenance shutdown of Atuabo Gas starting next Monday.

    He clarified that all marketers have been notified about the upcoming shutdown of the Atuabo Gas plant, but alternative bulk distributors in Tema have adequate supply for the upcoming weeks.

    Kumi assured consumers that there will be no shortage of LPG in the weeks and months ahead.

    “To the best of our knowledge, there’s no shortage of LPG in the system. I’m sure when you go around to the gas stations in the country, you’ll realise that all the gas stations are having products, we are serving consumers. What has really happened is that you know we take our 50% of our LPG from Atuabo Gas Processing Plant.”

    “We had information from our regulator that the Gas Processing Plant is going to shut down for about 2–3 weeks for routine maintenance and so that’s going to be done from Monday [August 5]. But we have more than enough stock in Tema. So consumers should be rest assured, there’s not going to be any shortage of LPG in the system in the coming weeks and months.”

  • Desist from making derogatory remarks against us – LPG Marketing Companies ‘warn’ NPA Boss

    The LPG Marketing Companies Association of Ghana has issued a stern warning to Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), urging him to refrain from making derogatory remarks that undermine and incite public sentiment against the Association.

    In a statement released on Sunday, July 21, the Association addressed recent claims made by Dr. Abdul-Hamid, which suggested that the LPG Marketing Companies were opposed to the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM).

    “We strongly urge the CEO of NPA, Hon Dr. Mustafa Abdul Hamid, to desist from making inflammatory and derogatory remarks that undermine and incite the public against our association. It is imperative for the NPA to maintain neutrality and fulfill its role strictly as a regulator,” a part of the statement read.

    The Association categorically denied these claims, stating, “The assertion that we oppose the CRM is categorically false. We have actively engaged in discussions with the NPA and have reached a mutual agreement that both the refilling and CRM systems should operate concurrently.”

    The Association further emphasized that their advertisements are intended to promote the use of LPG as an environmentally friendly alternative and to support local businesses, rather than to oppose the CRM.

    They expressed frustration over the NPA’s refusal to allow the installation of cages at LPG stations nationwide, a proposal they had made to facilitate the distribution of CRM cylinders.

    “It is both ironic and disingenuous that the NPA CEO would accuse us of resisting change,” the statement read. “We take serious exception to such derogatory comments.”

    The LPG Marketing Companies Association also criticized the NPA’s approach and stressed the importance of the NPA maintaining neutrality and fulfilling its regulatory role without bias.

    The Association concluded by reiterating their agreement with the NPA that both refill and CRM systems must coexist peacefully, emphasizing their commitment to collaborative efforts in advancing LPG usage in Ghana.

  • We aren’t against Cylinder Recirculation Model – LPG Marketing Companies

    We aren’t against Cylinder Recirculation Model – LPG Marketing Companies

    The LPG Marketing Companies Association of Ghana has responded strongly to recent allegations regarding its stance on the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM).

    This rebuttal comes in the wake of statements by Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), who had suggested that the Association was opposed to CRM.

    In a statement released on Sunday, July 21, the Association clarified its position, firmly rejecting the claim of opposition.

    “The assertion that we oppose the CRM is categorically false. We have actively engaged in discussions with the NPA and have reached a mutual agreement that both the refilling and CRM systems should operate concurrently,” the statement read.

    The Association emphasized that its public advertisements focus on promoting the use of LPG as an environmentally friendly alternative and supporting local businesses, not on opposing CRM.

    They expressed frustration over the NPA’s refusal to allow the installation of cages at LPG stations nationwide to facilitate the distribution of CRM cylinders, which they had proposed to support the policy.

    “It is both ironic and disingenuous that the NPA CEO would accuse us of resisting change,” the statement continued. “We take serious exception to such derogatory comments.”

    The LPG Marketing Companies Association also criticized the NPA’s approach, urging the CEO to avoid statements that undermine the Association and provoke public dissent. They stressed the importance of the NPA maintaining neutrality and fulfilling its regulatory role without bias.

    The Association condemned the use of taxpayer funds to support and advertise for private bottling companies, arguing that such funds should be directed toward promoting indigenous Ghanaian businesses rather than assisting those with substantial financial resources.

    The Association reiterated their agreement with the NPA on the need for both refill and CRM systems to coexist peacefully, emphasizing their commitment to collaborative efforts in advancing LPG usage in Ghana.

    LPGMC-Press-Statement-210724Download
  • No LPG management system can ensure total accident prevention

    No LPG management system can ensure total accident prevention

    Vice President of the LPG Marketers Association of Ghana, Gabriel Kumi, has stated that no LPG management system can guarantee complete safety from accidents.

    In an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Kumi explained that despite regulatory measures, the risks involved in LPG handling cannot be fully eradicated.

    He also pointed out that the new Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM), which lets consumers exchange empty cylinders for full ones at designated points, does not offer more safety than the current system.

    “We are not sabotaging the model. However, if anyone tells you that the cylinder recirculation method is safer than the current system, that person should be questioned. We are working with gas, and no system is accident-free. What you need to do as a regulator is to take measures to improve safety,” he said.

    Mr. Kumi cited a major explosion in Kenya that happened with a similar model, cautioning that Ghana might face similar risks if safety protocols are not strictly implemented.

    “Imagine we pile about 100 to 200 cylinders, and, God forbid, a fire breaks out. A 14.5 kg cylinder can cause devastation up to half a kilometer wide.”

    In response to accusations from Dr. Mustafa Hamid, Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), at the recent Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GhIPCon) that the LPG Marketing Companies Association opposed the new model, Mr. Kumi refuted these claims.

    He recalled the disruptions that occurred when the government first proposed the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) in 2018/2019, noting that the industry initially opposed the model due to its implementation strategy.

    Despite these objections, the government continued with the CRM plan through 2020 and 2021. The Association sought compensation for exiting the business, but the government cited financial constraints and rejected the idea of a compensation fund.

    To find a middle ground, the Association proposed installing cages at the 800 LPG stations nationwide to manage both filled and empty cylinders, allowing the existing and new systems to run simultaneously. This suggestion was also rejected by the government.

    “There is no transition plan for the new model. They want us to create a new exchange point for the new mode. There is already a declining market in the gas business. And the cylinder recirculation is being run by foreign and semi foreign companies.

    “The NPA have aligned with these foreign companies and they can’t stand the competition we are giving them,” he added.

    Watch the video below:

  • NPA Chief encourages LPG marketing firms to adopt CRM

    NPA Chief encourages LPG marketing firms to adopt CRM

    Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has called on LPG marketing companies to reconsider their opposition to the cylinder recirculation model (CRM) and support the policy.

    He highlighted that the CRM is being adopted across West Africa, including in countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Senegal, and stressed that Ghana cannot afford to fall behind.

    During the opening of the 2024 Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GhIPCon) in Accra on Wednesday, Dr. Abdul-Hamid noted the intense advertisements by LPG marketing companies promoting the current LPG filling station model.

    While acknowledging that these advertisements are within the companies’ rights, he urged them to adapt and embrace the CRM, which aims to enhance safety and efficiency in LPG distribution and usage in Ghana.

    “I urge you to reassess your opposition to the CRM policy because all across the world, very few countries still adopt the filling station concept as far as LPG distribution is concerned. All across the West African sub region Cote d”Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Togo, everywhere else people are running the CRM model.

    “I don’t think Ghana can afford to continue to lag behind. I think that it is important that we catch up with the modern trends and to adopt to the flow”, he stressed.

    Dr. Abdul-Hamid stated that the CRM could generate additional employment opportunities throughout the value chain.

    He pointed out that job prospects within the CRM framework include roles at LPG bottling plants, storage depots, exchange stations, and in the transportation of filled cylinders.

    The two-day conference, organized by the NPA in partnership with the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMC), and the Ministry of Energy, was conducted under the theme: ‘The Petroleum Downstream: Building a Future for Growth, Efficiency, and Sustainability’.

    This year’s GHIPCON, the sixth edition of the series, aims to tackle key issues and uncover opportunities within the petroleum downstream sector.

    Dr. Abdul-Hamid noted that the petroleum downstream industry has developed into a dynamic and thriving sector over the years, marked by growing involvement from the private sector.

    “It has become a key contributor to the growth and development of the economy, we estimate that the sector had a monetary value of over GHS71 billion, representing about 8.4% of the country’s 2023 GDP.

    “Over the past seven years, the industry returned an average annual value of over GHS35 billion,” he said.

    The NPA Boss said as a result of improvements in the performance of the economy driven by deliberate government policy initiatives aimed at expanding the productive sectors of the economy, Ghana”s neighbouring countries such as Mali, Niger, Cote D’Ivoire, Togo and Burkina Faso had been importing petroleum products from the country”s petroleum downstream industry.

    He said the volumes of petroleum products re-exported and transited to the neighbouring countries totalled 385,154,100 litres in 2023.

    Dr. Abdul-Hamid said the increase in volumes of the exports was a testament of significant successes in the NPA’s efforts towards curbing illicit fuel activities in the country.

    He indicated that the Authority has intensified its collaboration with the navy, marine police and immigration to continue to arrest people engaged in illicit activities.

    He announced that Senegal and Gambia had also begun the importation of petroleum products from Ghana.

    The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy, Mr. Herbert Krapa noted that since the last GhIPCon in 2022, Ghana has made significant progress towards an efficient and sustainable energy industry.

    He noted that the government had launched and executed the Gold for Oil Programme, which has lessened the strain on foreign exchange reserves needed for petroleum product imports, boosted local product supply, and significantly reduced premiums, leading to a relative decrease in petroleum product prices.

    Additionally, the Vice President announced that the Board of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation has been inaugurated, and a $12 billion agreement with the TCP-UIC Consortium has been signed to develop the first phase of the Petroleum Hub project in Jomoro, Western Region.

    He highlighted that the country’s LPG accessibility has risen from 25% in 2020 to 40% by the end of 2023, and during this period, the government introduced the National LPG Promotion Programme, distributing LPG cookstoves and accessories to new users.

    In their statements, Dr. Patrick Ofori, CEO of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, and Dr. Riverson Oppong, CEO of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies, reiterated their commitment to working with the NPA to advance and sustain the petroleum downstream sector.

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  • LPG tanker disaster at Juaso averted

    LPG tanker disaster at Juaso averted

    The Konongo-Odumasi Fire Station swiftly responded to an accident report on Sunday involving an LPG tanker at Juaso on the Kumasi-Accra highway.

    Upon receiving the report, a rescue team was immediately dispatched to the scene, where they discovered a DAF XF tanker carrying 29 tonnes of LPG. The tanker had been involved in an accident near the Goil gas filling station.

    The rescue crew took prompt action to prevent any potential explosions by effectively cooling the LPG tanker, ensuring the safety of the surrounding area. Their vigilant monitoring and quick response helped avert a major disaster.

  • Efforts are underway to lower the price of LPG – NPA

    Efforts are underway to lower the price of LPG – NPA

    Deputy CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Linda Boamah Asante, has affirmed the management’s commitment to addressing the demands of Ghanaians by actively working to reduce the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

    During a town hall meeting on the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) in Tamale, she disclosed ongoing discussions between the NPA, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Finance to explore the possibility of reducing taxes on LPG.

    While acknowledging the influence of international factors on price hikes, Asante stressed the authority’s limited control in this regard. Regarding the CRM, she assured that its implementation aims to enhance LPG accessibility without significantly impacting its price.

    Asante urged Ghanaians to refrain from deforestation for charcoal production, cautioning against the severe consequences for climate change in the future.

    “The reason for today’s programme was to sensitise most of our women and opinion leaders on why they should embrace the cylinder recirculation model and why they should use LPG instead of charcoal and then firewood.

    “Because we all can attest to the fact that climate change has come so close. The weather patterns are changing. There are high temperatures all over so we can’t do anything other than embrace the cylinder recirculation model.

    “For the price of LPG, like I said in my speech, the NPA in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance is having discussions so that we can reduce the taxes on LPG. In addition to that, even before the reduction of taxes, the NPA has gone ahead to have a tender, which has reduced the supplier’s premium for LPGs that are imported into the country.

    “Although we have the local refinery and Ghana National Gas, that produce gas, the price is always perked to the international market. So, the most important thing that we’ve been able to achieve now is to make sure that the cost of CRM, the policy doesn’t increase the price of getting access to LPG.

    “And we have various sizes of the LPG. we have 3kg, we have 6kg and we have 12.5 kg, and it goes up there. So, you can buy any size you want. I’m sure 3kg will be the same as wanting to buy a tot. if you want to buy a tot, that avenue is also available.

    “It is basically by making the LPG available, making it accessible and close to their doorsteps. We don’t have the filling plants available. They have to travel distances to have it purchased so the idea is to make it so close to you that you don’t have to travel any distances to get the product. And that is also another important role that we are playing in addition to making sure that the price goes down,” the deputy CEO of NPA Linda Boamah Asante said.

  • LPG Marketers Association opposes NPA’s imposition of $80 levy per metric ton on LPG

    LPG Marketers Association opposes NPA’s imposition of $80 levy per metric ton on LPG


    Once again, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Marketers Association has expressed opposition to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA)’s imposition of an $80 levy per metric ton on LPG.

    The association argues that collecting such a levy is unjustified as it would hinder the ability of bottling plants to recover their investments.

    During an appearance on Upfront on Joy News, Gabriel Kumi, Vice President of the LPG Marketers Association, reiterated this stance.

    “The last thing that broke the camel’s back is this $80 levy that we are talking about and the NPA has come out to explain that is a levy meant for bottling plants – those who want to build bottling plants for cylinder recirculation. We don’t have a problem”.

    “If they have invested in the bottling plant and you want to give them a margin, that’s fair but why must that margin be collected by NPA? You have created an account and are asking BDCs [Bulk Oil Distribution Companies] to pay $80 into that account and you explain the margin for the bottling plant”, he said.

    “Our argument is that give this margin to the bottling plants to recoup their investments. It’s not for NPA to go and collect this levy into a fund. I don’t think that is the way to go”.

    On the need to increase LPG consumption, Mr. Kumi said the only way the country can increase consumption of LPG is to take measures to bring down its pricing “so you can attract a lot more people to use it”.

    “We can all help the government achieve its objective but we see government acting contrary to its objective”, he concluded.

  • NPA pledges to alleviate financial pressures on LPG traders amidst challenges

    NPA pledges to alleviate financial pressures on LPG traders amidst challenges

    In response to growing concerns voiced by the LPG Marketers Association, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has assured steadfast support to ease operational costs for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) traders.

    The contentious issue under discussion pertains to the proposed imposition of an $80 per metric ton (MT) levy on suppliers’ premiums, aimed at enhancing investments in bottling plants and cylinder margins.

    Abass Ibrahim Tasunti, Head of Economic Regulation at the NPA, reaffirmed the authority’s proactive stance in tackling industry challenges to ensure sustained viability.

    Mr. Tasunti delineated the NPA’s comprehensive strategy, which incorporates regulatory directives and innovative measures to alleviate the financial burden on stakeholders.

    “While taxes are indispensable for government revenue, we recognize the imperative of striking a delicate balance. In light of this, we have advocated for a reevaluation of the tax burden on LPG,” stated Mr. Tasunti.

    He expanded on collaborative efforts between the NPA and bulk distribution companies (BDCs) to streamline importation processes and lower related expenses.

    “Our dialogue with BDCs has paved the way for exploring alternative procurement avenues. Through consolidating quantities and conducting transparent competitive tenders, we have successfully negotiated premiums, significantly trimming costs. The introduction of the $80 per metric ton levy complements this endeavor, fostering a more sustainable pricing framework,” Mr. Tasunti explained.

    The NPA’s proactive interventions have yielded tangible outcomes, as evidenced by a remarkable reduction in premiums from $100 to $30 per metric ton.

    Mr. Tasunti underscored the positive ripple effect of this initiative on the overall LPG importation cost structure, highlighting its pivotal role in adapting to pricing fluctuations.

  • “You can’t eat your cake and have it” – LPG marketers chide gov’t over new taxes

    “You can’t eat your cake and have it” – LPG marketers chide gov’t over new taxes

    The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Marketers Association has voiced its concerns regarding the government’s approach to boosting LPG consumption, cautioning that the continual introduction of taxes could impede this objective.

    Their statement comes in response to the National Petroleum Authority’s (NPA) recent imposition of a new tax on LPG as part of the revised pricing structure, effective April 1, 2024.

    The Association strongly criticized this move, particularly condemning the addition of $80 per metric ton (MT) as part of the suppliers’ premiums, specifically designated for Bottling Plant and Cylinder Investment Margins.

    They argued that this imposition was unjustifiable and indicated the Authority’s disregard for the decline in consumption since 2021.

    During a Point Blank interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Gabriel Kumi, the Vice President of the Association, emphasized that the government cannot expect to both increase LPG consumption and introduce more taxes, likening it to wanting to “have its cake and eat it too.”

    He said that such actions would deter people from consuming the product.

    “You can’t eat your cake and have it. You can’t set such laudable objectives and at the same time you keep piling taxes on the product to push away consumers.”

    “…There’s no way you can continue piling taxes on the product and at the same time expect to achieve an increment in consumption,” he stated.

  • Cylinder Recirculation Model will be accessible to everyone when its rolled out – NPA

    Cylinder Recirculation Model will be accessible to everyone when its rolled out – NPA

    The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is advocating for the adoption of the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) for users of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the Upper East Region.

    This government initiative aims to provide enhanced and cost-effective services to consumers.

    Under the CRM, LPG cylinders will be filled and stored at exchange points conveniently located near users.

    Customers will only need to pay for the gas content and exchange their empty cylinders or register to receive filled cylinders if they don’t own one.

    The NPA highlights several benefits of the CRM, including mitigating risks associated with LPG operations, increasing accessibility by bringing services closer to users, improving efficiency in the LPG value chain, and generating more opportunities for individuals.

    Bashiru Natogma, the Upper East Regional Manager of NPA, emphasized the importance of this new model during a sensitization session held in Bolgatanga.

    He explained that exchange points designated by the authority will facilitate the exchange of empty cylinders for filled ones across all communities.

    “This is not going to be limited to some particular areas, but it would be opened up everywhere in our communities, so those days that one would have to travel a long distance with the cylinder to be filled would no longer be the case because we are going to ensure that all the communities in this region have the exchange points,” he stated.

    Obed Kraine Boachie, Head of Gas overseeing Commercial Regulation at the NPA, emphasized that the new model has promptly addressed barriers to LPG usage. This is because individuals are no longer required to own a cylinder to access LPG.

    “Under the CRM, we are saying that a bottling plant would buy the cylinders, unlike now, when you would have to buy the cylinder, the bottling plant would procure the cylinders, so for you as a consumer, when you go and register, you will get a cylinder without having to buy one before you can use LPG,” he stated.

    He also mentioned that discussions were underway between the Authority and the government to explore the possibility of reducing taxes on LPG to enhance affordability.

    Sarah Yakubu, an Assistant Programmes Officer from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Upper East Region, acknowledged that promoting the use of LPG aligns with environmental conservation efforts, as it can contribute to a reduction in deforestation.

    She encouraged the public to embrace the policy.

    Bright Akobanyam, the Upper East Regional Safety Officer at the Ghana National Fire Service, urged the public to exercise caution when dealing with fire to prevent its detrimental impact on lives and property.

  • LPG usage in Ghana decreased by 9% quarter 1 of 2024 – LPG Marketers Association

    LPG usage in Ghana decreased by 9% quarter 1 of 2024 – LPG Marketers Association


    The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association disclosed that LPG usage in Ghana decreased by 9% in the first quarter of 2024.

    The Association attributed this decline to the raised taxes on the commodity, leading to price hikes.

    Vice President Gabriel Kumi expressed concern that the additional tax would exacerbate the challenges already faced by the LPG sector.

    “Those buying LPG has reduced, if you look at first quarter of 2024, as compared to 2023, we have dropped by 9%, the imposition of the $80 tax on LPG will worsen the situation. The price of Gas has increased again. Gas is one commodity that if you impose tax by one percent it goes a long way to push people out of using it. From 1st April to 15th April the figures we are picking in terms of consumers is not encouraging at all. Something needs to be done immediately by reducing the price of gas,” Gabriel Kumi said in an interview on New York-based Adinkra FM.

    Gabriel Kumi declared that the National Petroleum Authority’s decision to impose an extra $80 per metric ton (MT) for Bottling Plant and Cylinder Investment Margins lacks justification.

    He revealed that his association has formally requested the government to rescind the tax, warning that they will take further action if the government does not respond.

  • IES analysis show decrease in LPG consumption as prices increase

    IES analysis show decrease in LPG consumption as prices increase


    A recent regression analysis by the Institute for Energy Security (IES) has unveiled a troubling pattern of decreasing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage within the country’s downstream petroleum industry.

    Covering the period from January 2020 to December 2023, with an extension into April 2024, the study sheds light on various hurdles confronting both consumers and policymakers.

    According to the IES, there was a notable decline in LPG consumption, around 4.47 percent, from January 2020 to December 2023.

    This marks a sharp contrast to the previous four-year period, which experienced a growth of approximately 6.43 percent.

    Monthly consumption figures displayed significant fluctuations, with November 2020 registering the peak at 35,298,600 kilograms, while April 2023 saw the lowest consumption at 21,146,427 kilograms.

    The IES analysis indicates that escalating prices played a significant role in the overall 4.47 percent consumption decline from January 2020 to December 2023.

    The study revealed a substantial hike in the ex-pump price per kilogram of LPG, more than doubling from Gh¢5.81 to Gh¢12.57 between January 2020 and December 2023.

    This price surge was particularly notable in the initial four months of 2024, witnessing one of the sharpest increases, at 30 percent, since October 2022, soaring to Gh¢16.11 per kilogram in April.

    With the study’s Coefficient of Determination (R² = 0.1647), it’s evident that approximately 16.47 percent of the variability in LPG consumption can be explained by pricing fluctuations, suggesting the presence of other influential factors not accounted for in the model.

    “External factors that explain the variation in LPG consumption data in Ghana includes reduced purchasing power of consumers due to worsened economic condition, Cedi’s depreciation, a ban on new LPG outlets which could impact negatively on accessibility, and introduction of government policies,” the study captured.

  • LPG Marketing Companies Association petitions NPA to halt new tax on LPG

    The LPG Marketing Companies Association is urging the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to suspend the implementation of its newly introduced $80 per metric ton (MT) tax on LPG.

    This tax is part of the Suppliers’ Premiums, specifically designated for Bottling Plant and Cylinder Investment Margins, a move the association believes is ill-timed.

    The association argues that consumers are already grappling with the high cost of living in the country, and the new tax will only add to their burden.

    The NPA announced its decision to levy a new tax on LPG as part of its recent revision of pricing structures, effective from April 1, 2024.

    However, Gabriel Kumi, Vice President of the association, expressed his concerns about the timing of the new tax during an interview on MarketPlace on Joy News, describing it as unfortunate.

    “In the coming days, we will be appealing to the NPA to take measures to remove this levy. The timing is so wrong and Ghanaians are already suffering and LPG consumption is declining. We can’t add salt to injury in this manner”, he said.

    The association also indicated that it will fearlessly resist the new tax should the NPA go ahead with its implementation.

  • LPG prices to see reduction soon – NPA

    LPG prices to see reduction soon – NPA

    The Executive Director of the Institute for Energy Policies and Research (INSTEPR), Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku, has hinted at an imminent decrease in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices, signaling a potential relief for consumers.

    He commended the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) management for its effective leadership and innovative approach in implementing the cylinder recirculation model (CRM).

    In a statement on Friday, February 2, Poku, recognizing the efforts led by Dr. Mustapha Hamid, highlighted the introduction of an international tender for LPG importation by the NPA management.

    Mr Poku expressed optimism that the tendering process, fostering competition in LPG pricing, would result in a gradual reduction in LPG prices in the upcoming months.

    “Led by Dr. Mustapha Hamid, the NPA management has introduced an international tender for LPG importation,” he wrote on Friday, February 2.

    “This tendering process has introduced competition in the pricing of LPG, and consumers can expect to see a gradual reduction in LPG price in the coming months.”

    Acknowledging past challenges with CRM since its introduction post the 2017 gas explosion at Atomic Junction in Accra, he stressed the importance of addressing the implementation of this capital-intensive policy while ensuring continued affordability for households.

    Under CRM, customers no longer need to purchase gas cylinders, as pre-filled cylinders of various sizes are provided, allowing customers to exchange their empty cylinders for filled ones.

    He emphasized the urgent need to evaluate and reform the petroleum downstream value chain, especially given private sector participation in the sector for over 15 years.

    He noted the key decision of revamping the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and suggested establishing a roadmap for TOR, emphasizing the potential for comprehensive discussions on fuel security and affordability in the coming years with private refineries in Ghana.

  • NPA streamlines LPG importation methods for cost reduction and enhanced efficiency

    NPA streamlines LPG importation methods for cost reduction and enhanced efficiency

    The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has made a paradigm shift in its LPG importation methods.

    The strategic overhaul is intended to reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency, underscores the NPA’s commitment to fostering a more robust and streamlined energy sector.

    The NPA held its inaugural bidding competition for LPG importation on January 29th, 2024.

    The company that won the bid offered the cheapest price of US$30. 39 per metric ton for the four lots that were up for bidding from March to June 2024.

    The price is going down a lot from the current price of between USD67 per metric ton to USD98 per metric ton.

    Each lot weighs about 20,000 metric tonnes.

    The NPA wants to save money and make things work better by using open competitive tenders to import LPG.

    The open competition proposal got approved after talking to many Bulk Import, Distribution and Export Companies (BIDECs) and most of them agreed with it.

    The Authority said that the amount being offered each month is about 70 percent of the LPG that Ghana uses each month, and the Ghana National Gas Company provides the rest.

    The NPA suggested using Open Competitive Tenders to bring LPG into Ghana more efficiently and make it cheaper through competition.

    This was one idea to make LPG cheaper to help the Cylinder Recirculation Model. The model needs to be affordable for it to work well.

    We talked about the proposal a lot to see if it would work. We decided it would help save money on importing LPG. So we can go ahead and talk to the BIDECs to get their approval before we start it.

    There were many interactions with BIDECs in 2023.

    These discussions led to most of the BIDECs agreeing with the proposal, even though a few had some concerns.

    The boss listened to the worries of some people but decided that they weren’t enough to stop the new rule from being put into action.

    The information the Authority has about LPG imports by BIDECs over the years shows that there is a big difference in the extra money paid to the International Oil Trading Companies.

    This happened because the BIDECs imported less LPG in smaller amounts.

    The Authority thinks that if they buy a lot of LPG at once through a competitive process, it will cost less and make importing LPG more efficient.

  • NPA boss urges adoption of CRM to enhance safety and expand LPG access

    NPA boss urges adoption of CRM to enhance safety and expand LPG access

    Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, is encouraging the public to adopt the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) policy.

    This move aims to enhance safety and expand LPG access to 50% of the population by 2030. He emphasizes that this policy will establish rigorous and standardized health, safety, and environmental practices across the entire spectrum of LPG production, marketing, and consumption.

    “What we need to know is that the CRM is here to curb our fear of gas being filled close to our homes,” he said.

    Dr. Abdul-Hamid made the call on Friday at the launch of the Consumer Week Celebration in Takoradi in the Western Region on the theme: “LPG: Clean Cooking, Healthy Lifestyle”.

    The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) marks the Consumer Week Celebration annually as a part of the Global Consumer Service Week. This observance serves to educate the public about their rights and responsibilities and safe practices when using petroleum products.

    The head of NPA emphasized that LPG is a cleaner-burning fuel that facilitates smoke-free indoor cooking and contributes to the reduction of outdoor and urban air pollution.

    “LPG produces 50% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than coal, 20% less CO2 than heating oil and 10-12% less CO2 than petrol. Gas (LPG) has been accepted as the most dependable transition fuel, especially in our homes. It provides health, environmental, and economic benefits, especially to our households,” he said.

    Regrettably, Dr. Abdul-Hamid pointed out that the adoption of LPG in the country is currently low, standing at approximately 37%, and it requires proactive promotion.

    This means that a significant portion of the population still relies on traditional methods of cooking, such as charcoal or wood fuel, despite the numerous advantages of LPG over these alternatives.

    “We also need to commence action on addressing alternative livelihood for families that depend on the charcoal business for their livelihood to curb the onslaught on the already depleting forest cover”, he said.

    Dr. Abdul-Hamid emphasized that safety has been a top priority for President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government, resulting in the introduction and implementation of the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM). He pointed out that accidents related to LPG in households often occur due to a lack of adherence to safety precautions regarding LPG usage.

    He also highlighted the NPA’s commitment to addressing these incidents, emphasizing the intensification of public education regarding the safe handling of LPG. The NPA Chief encouraged all stakeholders, including bulk storage haulage, retail, and domestic LPG handlers, to strictly adhere to LPG safety guidelines to minimize or potentially eliminate accidents.

    In his address, Deputy Minister of Energy, Andrew Egypa Mercer, underlined the significance of the timing for the promotional and awareness campaign, given the ongoing discourse on climate change and its associated environmental and health impacts. He stressed the need for Ghana to take a leading role in discouraging activities that harm the environment and affirmed the Ministry of Energy’s support for the NPA and other relevant institutions in environmental conservation efforts.

    Western Regional Minister, Dr. Okyere Darko Mensah, urged the public to avoid complacency and ensure strict adherence to safety rules when dealing with LPG and other petroleum-related products.

  • Prices of diesel, LPG to increase by less than 5% from Sept. 16 – IES

    Prices of diesel, LPG to increase by less than 5% from Sept. 16 – IES

    The Institute for Energy Security (IES) has projected an anticipated increase in the prices of diesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) by 1 percent and 4 percent, respectively, effective from Saturday, September 16, 2023.

    However, it is expected that the price of petrol will remain unchanged during the second pricing window.

    “The impending increases are coming on the back of an increase in international market price of gasoil by 3.33% and LPG by 2.95%, coupled by a 0.97% depreciation of the Ghana cedi against the U.S. dollar on the foreign exchange market. By range, gasoil and LPG prices are expected to go up by 1% to 4% for the next two weeks ending September 2023,” IES stated.

    Regarding the performance of the Ghana cedi, analysis from the IES Economic Desk indicates that the local currency depreciated by 0.97% against the U.S. dollar during the reviewed period, trading at GH¢11.50 compared to the previous rate of GH¢11.39.

    Additionally, the price of Brent crude oil exceeded $90 per barrel in the past week, reaching its highest level in ten months. This increase followed the announcement by Saudi Arabia and Russia of an extension to their production and export limits, with Saudi Arabia limiting production by one million barrels per day (bpd) and Russia by 300,000 bpd, extending these measures through the end of 2023.

    In the local fuel market, the IES observed mixed reactions from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) on a daily rolling basis. While some OMCs maintained their prices, others recorded slight increases in the first pricing window of September 2023.

    The average increment was GH¢0.05 for diesel and GH¢0.02 for petrol in the downstream petroleum market. Towards the end of the reviewed pricing window, the IES monitoring revealed that some OMCs experienced fuel shortages at certain outlets.

  • PPP urges EC to expand voter registration centers

    PPP urges EC to expand voter registration centers

    The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has formally appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to increase the count of registration centers for the upcoming voter registration process within each district.

    This measure aims to alleviate the inconvenience faced by citizens who would otherwise need to travel long distances to register.

    Scheduled from September 12 to October 2, 2023, the limited registration exercise is intended for eligible Ghanaians who turned 18 after the 2020 registration, as well as other eligible voters.

    The PPP suggests that augmenting the registration centers in each district would enhance accessibility, aligning with their vision of fostering a more inclusive and convenient citizen participation in the democratic process.

    According to Jean Mensa, the EC’s Chairperson, the registration exercise will be held at all 268 district offices across the country.

    Remy Paa Kow Edmundson, the PPP’s National Secretary, emphasized that this simple solution would significantly improve registration accessibility, encouraging wider participation in the democratic process and ultimately contributing to a more representative electorate.

    “The PPP is speaking up and asking the EC to add more registration centres in every District. This way, people won’t have to travel so far and can easily register to vote. It’s a simple solution that will make a big difference,” he stated.

    Edmundson further advocated for “a fixed date for the District Level Elections, just like we do for the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. Right now, the dates for these elections keep changing, and that makes it hard for candidates and voters to plan ahead. If we have a set date, it will make things a lot easier and more organised.”

    Meanwhile, seven other political parties in Ghana have also voiced their opposition to the EC’s decision to limit the upcoming voter registration to district offices.

    They argue that this would disenfranchise those who have come of voting age.

    Instead, they propose conducting the process at electoral areas to ensure wider inclusion.

    These parties are the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Convention People’s Party (CPP), People’s National Congress (PNC), All Progressives Congress (APC), National Democratic Party (NDP), and the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP).

  • Unemployed youth will receive support under my tenure – Kofi Akpaloo

    Unemployed youth will receive support under my tenure – Kofi Akpaloo

    Head of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Kofi Akpaloo, has pledged to provide unemployment benefits to the youth if he emerges winner in the 2024 general elections.

    Speaking with the media on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, the former LPG presidential candidate highlighted the long-standing neglect of Ghanaian youth and his commitment to rectify the situation.

    “The LPG will do something different, and we are going to make sure that we pay you unemployment benefits and support you with income to sustain the youth. We need to create an environment so that the young people in Ghana can make it and prosper.”

    He outlined his plan to offer child benefits to those below eighteen and unemployment benefits to those above eighteen years of age.

    Furthermore, Akpaloo expressed his intent to maintain the Free SHS policy while streamlining the management of education.

    “We will merge JHS and SHS together to become one school such that we turn them into day schools. We don’t need boarding schools today to promote national cohesion because we have different tribes living in other regions,” he added.

  • LPG Marketers demand more public education before Cylinder Re-circulation Model takes off in September

    LPG Marketers demand more public education before Cylinder Re-circulation Model takes off in September

    The Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Marketers Association has expressed its dissatisfaction with the National Petroleum Authority’s (NPA) plan to implement the Cylinder Re-circulation Model (CRM) in September 2021.

    The association believes that the timeline is too short and that more public education is needed before the policy is fully rolled out.

    The CRM is a new policy that aims to ensure that at least 50 percent of Ghanaians have access to safe, clean and environmentally friendly LPG by 2030.

    The policy will require consumers to register with their Ghana Card details before they can buy gas at exchange points across the country.

    Consumers will not have to own a cylinder, but will pick up pre-filled cylinders and pay only for the content.

    However, the Vice President of the LPG Marketers Association, Gabriel Kumi, has argued that the policy will cause confusion among stakeholders and consumers if it is implemented in September.

    NPA has set next month for the implementation, and so we have less than a month and the public confusion indicates that consumers are not ready and so there is a need to educate the public on the model so that we don’t confuse the public in the roll-out of the model,” he noted.

    He said that the current system of LPG distribution is so entrenched that it cannot be changed abruptly without proper education and sensitisation.

    “The current system is so entrenched that if you want to introduce a new system, you just don’t throw the old one out and suddenly introduce the new one, we have to do that slowly. Our initial discussion was that we should buy back all cylinders in the system because there are a lot of them out there that are obsolete and need to be changed, and it will be difficult to tell them to simply discard them and get new ones in anticipation of the model’s roll-out,” Kumi added.

    In an interview with Citi FM, Kumi said that the association was not aware of the decision to use the Ghana Card as part of the CRM implementation until last week when the NPA had a press conference.

    He said that the Ghana Card is not widely available and that many consumers may not have it by September.

    “Not until last week that the NPA had a press conference, I did not know the Ghana Card was going to be used in the policy’s implementation. There is little education on this policy, and so we have to take our time to ensure the people understand the policy before it is implemented, and we can even give ourselves up until January 2024 to roll it out,” Kumi bemoaned.

    He also said that the association had initially proposed that the NPA should buy back all cylinders in the system, as many of them are obsolete and need to be replaced.

    He said that it would be difficult to tell consumers to discard their old cylinders and get new ones without adequate compensation.

    Kumi suggested that the NPA should delay the implementation of the CRM until January 2024, and use the time to educate the public on the benefits and modalities of the policy.

    He said that this would ensure a smooth transition and avoid any potential problems.

    Source: The Independent Ghana | P.M.A Roberts

  • Cylinder recirculation model to be executed by NPA in September

    Cylinder recirculation model to be executed by NPA in September

    Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has said that Perry Okudzeto, the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) programme is scheduled for implementation in September this year.

    Under the CRM, residents of Accra and other selected areas in the country will no longer be required to own a cylinder to access Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for their domestic and commercial needs.

    “Filled LPG cylinders will be kept at exchange points for customers to pay for the content and pick up the filled cylinders after registering with their National Identity Card”.

    The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and its partners, under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy, will lead the implementation of the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM), according to Mr. Perry Okudzeto, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NPA.

    During a media briefing in Accra regarding the planned implementation of the CRM, Mr. Okudzeto stated that the program is set to commence in September, starting in Accra and Kumasi, with gradual expansion to cover the entire country.

    He emphasized that the CRM would coexist alongside the current distribution model until its complete phase-out, and a dedicated 50-member committee has been formed to work on the CRM.

    Furthermore, Mr. Okudzeto noted that the LPG Marketing Companies are actively involved in the committee, and their valuable inputs have been incorporated into the CRM framework.

    “All industry players have been engaged, their ideas have been taken on board and the framework has been designed with their input and are ready to offer their support to ensure the success of the project,” he stressed

    According to Mr. Okudzeto, the CRM’s implementation aims to provide safe, clean, and environmentally friendly LPG to at least 50% of Ghanaians by 2030.

    “It is also meant to improve access to LPG, improve safety in the distribution of LPG and increase adoption of LPG.

    “Additionally, it is a policy shift to stop the unnecessary loss of lives and property as well as gas filling stations, mostly due to human error.”

    According to Mr. Okudzeto’s explanation, cylinders obtained from manufacturing firms would be delivered to bottling plants to be filled.

    The filled cylinders will be delivered in bulk to exchange depots where they will be stored and sorted before being delivered in batches to cylinder exchange terminals where customers can register and pay for any quantity for both domestic and commercial consumption.

    “Specialised trucks will be used to transport the filled cylinders from the bottling plants to the retail stations or exchange points, where consumers will exchange their empty cylinders for filled ones”.

    According to Mr. Okudzeto, the program had been successfully piloted, the system had been streamlined, and the infrastructure had been put in place to ensure the safe delivery and use of LPG throughout the operational areas. He added that registration with the Ghana card at the exchange points was necessary to have data on consumers for traceability.

    “The NPA commissioned a pilot programme with the existing infrastructure. The pilot programme was done in the Eastern Region around the Kwaebibem area, in Ashanti Region in the Obuasi zone and then in the Northern Region in the Yendi zone. The programme taught us quite a number of lessons and that has gone into shaping the framework for the implementation of the new policy,” he said.

    Four CRM Bottling facilities, including the Blue Ocean and Newgas facilities as well as the GOIL Bottling Plant in Tema and Kumasi, were ready to launch, according to Mr. Okudzeto.

    The cylinders will be produced and supplied statewide by the APPEB Cylinder Manufacturing Company in Awutu Senya, SIGMA Cylinder Manufacturing Company in Accra, and the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company at Spintex. All three companies are prepared for the deployment.

    “So far, since 2017, the first step had been to construct bottling plants that will be the main pivot around which the policy will operate since under the new policy, cylinders are going to be filled with LPG and sent to exchange points for distribution,” Mr Okudjeto stressed.

  • COPEC forecasts marginal rise in petroleum prices for August 2023

    COPEC forecasts marginal rise in petroleum prices for August 2023

    The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has foreseen a slight upswing in petroleum prices during the first pricing window of August 2023.

    It is anticipated that both petrol and diesel pump prices may increase by approximately 9 percent from the current nationwide average price of GHS 11.90 per litre.

    Furthermore, the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is expected to undergo a significant increase of 20 percent.

    These projected price hikes by COPEC are attributed to the rise in international market prices for petroleum products, with crude oil registering a 10.53 percent increase, moving from the mean price of $75.85 per barrel to $83.84 per barrel.

    Based on these factors, COPEC has provided the following estimated retail figures for petroleum products in the upcoming pricing window:

    Petrol: GH¢13.27 per litre
    Diesel: GH¢13.93 per litre
    Mean price for Petrol and Diesel: GH¢13.33 per litre
    LPG: GH¢11.79 per kilogram

  • IES projects marginal fall in diesel, LPG prices

    IES projects marginal fall in diesel, LPG prices

    In the first pricing window of July, the Institute of Energy Security (IES) has forecasted a minor decrease in the prices of diesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

    The IES attributes this slight reduction to the decline in the prices of gasoline and LPG. However, petrol prices will remain unaffected.

    Over the past month, gasoline and LPG have experienced a 2.6% and 3.09% decrease in their prices.

    However, due to the depreciation of the cedi, the price decline does not significantly impact the overall pump prices.

    “The various changes in the price of the commodities on the international fuel market are expected to affect local market prices in Ghana. For the first two weeks in July, following a price decrease of 2.64%, 3.09% for Gasoil and LPG,” the IES projects.

    According to the data provided by the Global Standard & Poor (S&P) Platt platform, the Institute of Energy Security (IES) has reported the closing prices for Gasoline, Gasoil, and LPG in the second pricing window of June 2023. The prices per metric tonne are as follows: Gasoline – $811.80, Gasoil – $709.84, and LPG – $306.25.

    In comparison to the previous pricing window, there was a slight increase of 0.95% in Gasoline prices, while Gasoil and LPG experienced decreases of 2.64% and 3.09% respectively.

    It is worth noting that the current crude oil prices remain significantly below the projections made by analysts at the end of June 2023.

  • Gyakye Quayson to be sworn in July 4

    Gyakye Quayson to be sworn in July 4

    The winner of the Assin North by-election in Ghana, James Gyakye Quayson, will be sworn in as the Member of Parliament (MP) on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.

    Quayson secured victory in the by-election held on June 27, 2023, with a total of 17,245 votes, constituting 57.56% of the total votes cast. His closest competitor, Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), received 12,630 votes, representing 42.15% of the votes.

    The Assin North by-election was conducted following a legal dispute over Quayson’s eligibility to hold office due to concerns about his dual citizenship. Quayson’s successful election fills the parliamentary seat that had remained vacant during the legal proceedings.

    Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party Ghana (LPG) received 87 votes, accounting for 0.29% of the overall vote count.

  • IES forecasts marginal decrease in diesel and LPG prices, petrol to stay unchanged

    IES forecasts marginal decrease in diesel and LPG prices, petrol to stay unchanged

    The Institute for Energy Security (IES) has predicted a drop in the prices of diesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the 1st two weeks of July.

    According to the Institute for Energy Security (IES), this is due to the various changes in the price of the commodities on the international fuel market which will reflect positively in the local market.

    However, the price of petrol is expected to remain unchanged.

    This is because the international petrol price increase and the Ghana cedi depreciation are insignificant to cause a price increase in the first two weeks of July.

    World oil market

    The month of June 2023 ended with crude oil prices still trading far below analyst projections at the beginning of year 2023.

    IES said several factors played against the commodity performance in the first half of 2023, ranging from global slowed demand due to China’s COVID-19 restrictions to the U.S.A and banking crisis.

    Again, supply decisions by leading oil producers through OPEC+ decisions as a body and individual member decisions of production cuts have still not helped the price of crude oil to recover the slump. At close of the trading day on June 30m 2023, Brent Crude price closed at $74.90 per barrel and a 2-week average of $74.85.

    Local fuel market performance

    Monitored on a 15-day rolling basis, the IES said prices of liquid fuels on the domestic fuel market saw some variations among Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).

    The first week saw some OMCs reduce prices, while others maintained prices from the previous pricing window in the second pricing window for June 2023.

    The national average of petrol, diesel and LPG is pegged at ¢11.80, ¢11.83 per litre and ¢10.30 per kilogramme as per IES analysis of price data gathered from the domestic fuel market.

  • Price of LPG to fall by 7.0% effective tomorrow

    Price of LPG to fall by 7.0% effective tomorrow

    Consumers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) are expected to see a fall in the price of the commodity by 7 per cent effective tomorrow, June 16, 2023.

    The LPG Marketers Association has attributed the local decline to the 10% drop in the prices of LPG on the international market.

    According to the Association’s Vice President, Gabriel Kumi, “competition can drive that down to about 10%”.

    In April this year, the price of LPG declined by 5% with the product selling at GHS12.40 per liter from GHS13.20. This will be the fourth consecutive time price of the commodity has seen a marginal drop this year.

    In its May 2023 Monetary Sector Report, the Bank of Ghana noted that crude oil prices have broadly trended downwards since June 2022.

    From US$117.2 per barrel in June 2022, prices plunged to US$81.3 per barrel in December 2022, before moving slightly up to US$82.7 per barrel in April 2023.

    Prices were pressured by concerns over the health of the global economy and prospects of oil demand, despite the announced production cut by OPEC+, the Central Bank noted.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • LPG to elect flagbearer December 15

    LPG to elect flagbearer December 15

    The Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) has scheduled December 15, 2023, as the date for electing the party’s flagbearer for the general election in 2024.

    This is in accordance with the constitution of the party which states that when the party is in opposition it will elect its flag bearer a year before the general election.

    The General Secretary of the party, Jerry Owusu Appauh, disclosed this in an interview with the Daily Graphic.

    With regards to flag bearer aspirants, the LPG general secretary explained that persons interested must be members of LPG and in good standing and also satisfy the 1992 Constitution’s requirement for a President.
    Visibility

    Ahead of the party’s presidential primary, the Daily Graphic has spotted the posters of the 2020 Presidential candidate and founder of the party, Kofi Akpaloo, in the median on the street from Kasoa to Mallam and the Obasanjo Highway (Dzorwulu) in Accra, among other places.

    Mr Appauh explained that the poster was for the visibility campaign embarked on by the party towards winning the 2024 general election.

    He stated that until the presidential primary was held for a new candidate to be elected as the flag bearer of the party, Mr Akpaloo remained the leader of the party, adding that the party, apart from the posters, also had other branded materials intended to market it for electoral victory in 2024.
    Reorganisation

    Mr Appauh said the party last year embarked on its reorganisation exercise, which led to the elections of the constituency and regional executives of the party across the country in readiness for the 2024 elections.
    Parliamentary

    The general secretary said the filing of nominations for the party’s parliamentary candidates began on Monday, May 15, and was expected to close on July 31, 2023.

    Mr Appauh said the nomination forms could be obtained from the General’s Secretary’s Office.

    Asked why the party was not decentralising the purchase of the forms, Mr Appauh explained that it was to avoid duplication of the forms.

    He said the filing fee for the parliamentary candidates of the party was GH¢2, 000 and the form was going for GH¢500.
    Qualification

    To qualify to become a parliamentary candidate aspirant of the party, Mr Appauh said a person must first satisfy the 1992 Constitution’s requirements for Members of Parliament (MPs).

    He added that the individual must also be a paid-up member of the party in good standing and must not be a dual citizen or owe allegiance to any other country aside from Ghana.

    Mr Appauh said the party was determined to field parliamentary candidates for all the 275 constituencies in the country for the 2024 general election.

    He said the party was on course with its preparations towards the 2024 general election and called on Ghanaians to vote for the party to form the next government in 2025 to implement its human-centred, industrialisation and sound economic policies for the country.

  • Prices of petrol, diesel to fall by 5% in the next 72 hours

    Prices of petrol, diesel to fall by 5% in the next 72 hours

    On April 1, 2023, fuel prices will drop between 2% and 9% for the third time in a row, with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) projected to experience the greatest drop in recent times.

    The Institute for Energy Security predicts that the price of LPG would decrease by roughly 9%, while the price of petrol and diesel will fall by between 2% and 5%.

    The institute attributes the decline to the cedi’s stability against the dollar and the lowering of finished goods prices on the global market.

    “Fuel consumers must expect another round of fuel price drops in the coming days. The imminent price drop is a reflection of happenings on the world fuel market over the past two weeks which shows decline in prices of gasoline [petrol], Liquefied Petroleum Gas and some other finished products”, Nana Amoasi VII, Executive Director of the Institute for Energy Security told the media.

    “In the last 14 days, the price of gasoline [petrol] on the world market posted a drop of $21 per metric tonne. Gasoil [diesel] also dropped by roughly 3.6% from the previous price of $813 per metric tonne”, he added.            

    Nana Amoasi VII furthered that LPG is the product that posted the biggest drop in price over the last two weeks on the world market.  The commodity’s price fell by a whopping $95 per metric tonne, about 15% drop.

    He concluded that Ghanaians should expect some relieve from the high fuel prices recorded in the past six months, noting “households that rely on LPG will be the most beneficiaries as the commodity may post a hefty drop in prices in the coming days”.

         

  • COPEC predicts 4% price increase in LPG

    COPEC predicts 4% price increase in LPG

    Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices are set to increase by approximately 4.36%, from their current average of GHS 13.86 per kilogramme to GHS 14.46 per kilogramme, according to a statement issued by the Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC).

    The price increase is due to a rise in the commodity’s price on the international market. 

    The statement explains that “with the international price increasing from US$699.45/MT to US$702.50/MT (4.94%), the projected retail price of LPG is expected to increase by about 4.36% from the current average of 13.86/kg to GHC14.46/kg.”

    The statement also notes that LPG consumption has decreased due to the country’s recent high retail prices. 

    “The current high retail prices of LPG have contributed to consumption generally dropping by 12% year over year in 2022,” it adds. 

    Last year, the price of LPG was increased more than three times, which was attributed to the fall of the cedi and the rapid increase in price hikes on the international market.

    In other news, the COPEC predicts that fuel prices will decrease by an average of four cents per litre, beginning Wednesday, March 1, 2023. 

    The Chamber indicates that the expected drop in fuel prices would not be influenced by the government’s “gold for oil” programme.

  • LPG Marketers Association calls for LPG to be included in ‘Gold for Oil’ programme

    LPG Marketers Association calls for LPG to be included in ‘Gold for Oil’ programme

    The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Marketers Association of Ghana is making a passionate appeal to government to include LPG in its ‘Gold for Oil’ Programme.

    The, association, believes this will go a long way to help stabilise and reduce the soaring price of LGP, similar to that of petrol and diesel.

    Checks by Joy Business at some LPG outlets have revealed that the prices of LPG have gone up by about 5% per kilogramme from today March 1, 2023.

    Speaking to Joy Business,  Vice President of the LPG Marketers Association, Gabriel Kumi, said if urgent steps are not taken to control the continuous surge in the price of the commodity, government’s efforts of increasing the consumption of LPG will be dashed.

    “LPG prices have gone up beginning today [March 1, 2023] and initial indications we are picking from the BDCs [Bulk Oil Distributors] shows that the cost to the Oil Marketing Companies has gone up by about 10% per kilogramme. If we are lucky, competition will bring that one down to about 6% or 7%. But certainly LPG price will go up by not less than 5% beginning today and that will push the pump prices to about ¢16 per kilogramme from the ¢15 per kilogramme it was selling the previous window”.

    “Diesel and petrol prices are going down but unfortunately LPG prices keep escalating and that is why our association has called on government to immediately look at including LPG in the ‘Gold for Oil’ deal so that it can also bring the prices down. We believe LPG is a product government must target in this deal because the rate at which LPG prices are going up is unbelievable and this will certainly thwart government’s effort at increasing penetration and usage of LPG in Ghana”, he explained.

    Last year 2022, LPG consumption went down by over 12% against that of 2021.

    Mr. Kumi said that should be a very big worry to every single Ghanaian and to government.

    “Efforts should be made to ensure that this ‘Gold for Oil’ deal, LPG is included immediately because the experts are telling us that LPG prices on the international market will keep escalating even though diesel and petrol prices are coming down. So we appeal to government to immediately include LPG in this deal so it can help stabilise prices”.

    He also called for reduction in taxes, saying “we believe this is the best time for government to take off taxes from LPG”.

    “So, if we’re able to get LPG included in the Gold for Oil deal, and the taxes are removed, we believe that the prices could come down to a reasonable level so that every Ghanaian can afford”, he added.

  • Redirect import pricing and the dollar auction policy for LPG – Energy analyst

    Redirect import pricing and the dollar auction policy for LPG – Energy analyst

    Energy policy analyst Benjamin Nsiah wants government to re-direct its dollar auction policy towards the importation and pricing of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) in the country.

    According to him, the move will address the soaring prices of LPG which have witnessed an increment from around GH¢8 per kilogram in January to GH¢15 per kilogram in the second pricing window of February 2023.

    In a statement , the energy policy analyst believes that the current prices of LPG is discouraging small businesses and households from using clean cooking methods.

    “The high and unchecked surging of LPG prices is likely to reduce its consumption in 2023, negatively affecting the government’s policy target of achieving 50% LPG penetration of households by 2030, and making this deadline one of the unachieved deadlines on the LPG agenda,” he noted.

    He continued, “Furthermore, households forced to use unclean cooking fuels like firewood and charcoal due to the non-affordability of LPG contribute to depleting the country’s forest cover, causing respiratory diseases and contributing to climate change.”

    He however noted that government’s previous interventions, including the Bank of Ghana forex auction to the Bulk Distributing Companies (BDCs) and the Gold for Oil policy through Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST), have somewhat stabilized or reduced the prices of petrol and diesel throughout 2022 and the first two months of 2023.

    To address this, Benjamin Nsiah suggests that government re-directs its dollar auction policy towards LPG imports and pricing as BDCs would hardly need auction dollars to import diesel and petrol due to the Gold-for-Oil policy, which just commenced implementation.

    “This would have a better impact on LPG price reduction compared to the scrapping of the taxes and levies of about GH¢1.21 per kilogram, which make up approximately 9 percent of the LPG price build-up in February,” the policy analyst said.

    “It has become necessary to internalize the pricing of LPG and make it affordable, given the trend of international LPG prices, which has been on an upward trajectory since December 2022, rendering the impact of scrapping taxes insignificant in subsequent windows,” he concluded.

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    Business news making headlines this week

  • Fuel prices to go down from December 16

    Beginning on Friday, December 16, 2022, the cost of petroleum goods will drop significantly, according to IES projections.

    The IES indicates that the expected fall follows the continuous appreciation of the cedi against the US dollar in recent times and the continued price falls recorded on the international market over the first pricing window.

    The cedi’s appreciation against the US dollar currently stands at 6.60 percent.

    Resultantly, new prices are projected to be at about GH¢13 and GH¢16 per litre for petrol and diesel respectively while Liquefied Petroleum Gas is expected to sell at GH¢12 per kilogram.

    “With the continued price falls recorded on the international market, consumers are set to see further price relief at the pumps. The Institute for Energy Security (IES) predicts that on the back of 9.02%, 8.08% and 7.38% fall in prices of Gasoline [petrol], Gasoil [diesel] and LPG respectively, the domestic OMCs outlets are set to reduce their prices further”, the IES said in a statement.

    World fuel market

    The global Standard & Poor’s (S&P’s) Platt averages monitored over the last pricing-window indicate that the price of petrol continues to fall, with price in the period under review dropping by 9.02 percent from US$838.78 per metric tonnes to US$763.10 per metric tonnes.

    Diesel prices also further dropped by 8.08 percent from US$969.70 per metric tonne to US$891.30 per metric tonne. LPG price also followed in same direction, falling by 7.38 percent from US$618.20 per metric tonne to US$572.58 per metric tonnes.

  • 80% households in urban Ghana use LPG for cooking – study

    A new study by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana, has found out that over 80 per cent of households in urban areas in the country use Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking.

    This is because they perceive LPG to be convenient and cooks faster than other forms of energy.

    The study, “Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Project” which was conducted in two municipalities in the Greater Accra Region—Adenta and Korle-Klottey, also found out that households in the two municipalities practice fuel stacking.

    It further discovered that over 70 per cent of the households use charcoal for cooking and most of them use it as a back-up fuel, owning to the fact that charcoal is easily accessible and affordable.

    The lead researcher of the project, Dr Simon Bawakyillenuo, said “when the households were strictly asked whether they cook with electricity, only 12% said yes in Adenta, and 13% in Korle-Klottey.”

    For him, “when the concept of cooking was expanded to include using electrical appliances, at least once in a week, about 84% and 61% cook with electricity in Adenta and Korle-Klottey Municipalities” respectively.

    He said the study broadly sought to facilitate household transition to modern cooking fuels, away from traditional solid fuels.

    MECS Phase I

    Dr Bawakyillenuo explained that the Phase I of the MECS project, which started in 2020-2021, sought to understand and build local knowledge on the dynamics of cooking behaviours and cooking energy services amongst various stakeholders in Ghana.

    Participants and members of the research team in a group photo after the presentation of the findings of the MECS project

    The Phase II of the project, which is being sponsored by the World Bank, he noted, will highlight what is known empirically about cooking with electricity, the existing gaps and the opportunities that must be seized through action research to enhance the understanding and adoption of modern cooking technologies by households in Ghana.

    More importantly, he observed, the Phase II of the MECS will also be conducted in the two selected municipalities which were used in the Phase I of the project—Adenta and Korle-Klottey.

    In a presentation, a member of the research team, Mr Innocent Agbelie, explained that under the Phase I, household and market surveys were undertaken to understand the cooking dynamics and market potentials of modern cooking services and technologies in Ghana.

    That, he said, the study found out that most households in Adenta Municipality have separate space of cooking but over 70 per cent of households in Korle-Klottey do not have such a space, and that they often use open space in the compound.

    He, however, explained that “Electricity connectivity is high as most of the households in the two municipalities (95.46% in AdMA and 98.35% in KoKMA) are connected to the national grid through pre-paid meter systems, making it easy for them to pay their electricity bills to the supplier directly.

    For her part, Ms. Stephanie K. Danquah, also a member of the research team, said due to the fuel stacking being practiced by households in urban Ghana, it is important to interrogate the extent to which e-cooking is already happening.

    For her, many households perceive electricity to be too expensive to be used for cooking, pointing out that “Yet, the market and household surveys reveal that many households are using different kinds of appliances in the cooking process, or for cooking.”

    Presenting the overview of the Phase II of the project, Dr Aba Crentsil, said the “MECS Phase II seeks to document e-cooking in urban Ghana sampling participants from the two municipalities, investigating both efficient and inefficient appliances, and different types of food.”

    Source: Graphiconline