The government of Ghana has inaugurated the Implementation Committee for the construction of a Second Gas Processing Plant (GPP II). The initiative aims to increase domestic gas processing capacity and reduce the country’s heavy dependence on imported fuels.
At a ceremony held earlier today, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, and the Minister for Finance, Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, jointly launched the committee, which has been mandated to oversee the design, financing, and implementation of the GPP II project. The new facility is expected to significantly enhance Ghana’s current capacity of 120 million standard cubic feet per day, handled at the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant.
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Speaking at the event, Hon. Jinapor underscored the urgent need for a second processing plant, pointing out that the country spends over $1 billion annually on liquid fuels to power thermal plants. He argued that investing half of that amount into domestic processing infrastructure could save Ghana up to $500 million each year. He also noted the project’s potential to create around 1,500 direct and indirect jobs, while positioning Ghana as a gas processing hub in the West African region.
Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson also emphasized the economic rationale behind the project, highlighting that the national expenditure on crude oil imports for energy production is nearly three times higher than the annual budget for government services. He called on the committee to act with urgency, stressing the broader impact of the project on economic stability and national development.
The Implementation Committee comprises representatives from key state institutions, including the Ministries of Energy, Finance, and Government Communications, as well as officials from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Ghana Gas Company, private sector experts, and civil society members.
The committee’s structure has been divided into three main groups: the Steering Committee for policy oversight, the Core Technical Committee to manage execution, and the Communication and Social Licence Working Group to handle public engagement and community concerns.
Authorities believe that once completed, GPP II will not only curb financial losses from unprocessed gas but also deliver long-term energy cost savings, promote industrialization, and secure sustainable energy supply for the country.