Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has hailed the planned Second Gas Processing Plant (GPP II) as a transformative project poised to reshape Ghana’s energy sector, create jobs, and save the country hundreds of millions of dollars.
Speaking at the inauguration of the GPP II Implementation Committee at the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition on Monday, Dr. Forson highlighted the urgent need to shift away from the country’s heavy reliance on costly liquid fuels for power generation, which he said is draining the economy.
“Without the Atuabo Gas Plant, Ghana would have been in deep trouble. Today, we face a similar opportunity to secure our future,” he stated.
According to Dr. Forson, Ghana spends over $1 billion annually on liquid fuels. The new gas processing facility, he said, would not only ease this financial burden but also pay for itself quickly while generating employment.
He noted that the project could save the country approximately $500 million every two years and would create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Together with the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, Dr. Forson inaugurated a technical committee to lead the project’s implementation. The committee is chaired by the Deputy Minister for Energy and has been tasked with submitting a comprehensive implementation plan within four weeks.
“This is too important for our country’s welfare and economic stability. Enough of the bureaucracy, let’s get it done,” Dr. Forson stressed.
Mr. Jinapor echoed the Finance Minister’s sentiments, expressing concern over the slow pace of gas infrastructure development since the commissioning of the Atuabo Gas Plant. He said the growing gap between demand and available gas supply had forced the country to depend heavily on imported fuels, worsening the fiscal situation and endangering energy security.
“Once completed, the GPP II is expected to improve the supply of natural gas for power generation and industrial use, reducing the country’s reliance on liquid fuels and easing foreign exchange pressures,” he said.
He added that the new plant is also expected to enhance Ghana’s standing as a regional energy hub in the medium to long term.
Two committees were inaugurated at the ceremony—the Technical Implementation Committee and the Communications and Social License Committee. The latter is chaired by Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Hajia Shamima Muslim.
Industry experts have welcomed the initiative, noting that the timely and effective execution of the GPP II will help stabilize power generation costs, improve energy reliability, and boost investor confidence in Ghana’s energy sector.
GNA
