The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has officially commenced its National Consumer Service Week Celebration, aimed at enhancing public awareness about the safe use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in households throughout Ghana.
This annual event is part of the Global Consumer Service Week celebration, with this year's theme being “LPG: Clean Cooking, Healthy Lifestyle.”
Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, CEO of the NPA, made the announcement during the launch event held in Effiakuma, Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipality, Western Region.
He highlighted the advantages of LPG, stating that it is a cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuel option for indoor cooking, reducing both outdoor and urban air pollution. LPG is known to produce fewer carbon emissions than coal, heating oil, and petrol, making it a preferred choice, especially for household use.
Despite these benefits, Dr Abdul-Hamid expressed concerns that LPG usage in the country remains relatively low, with only around 37% of the population using gas products for cooking. He emphasised the need to address this issue and transition more individuals from traditional cooking methods involving firewood or charcoal to LPG.
Dr Abdul-Hamid pointed out the environmental benefits of increased LPG use, such as reduced deforestation and fewer harmful substances released into the atmosphere.
He noted that LPG consumption had seen a significant increase over the years, with an average of 228,000 metric tonnes supplied annually from 2010 to the present.
To encourage the growth of LPG usage, he highlighted the government's commitment to implementing policies like the Cylinder Recirculation Model, which aims to enhance safety and increase LPG accessibility to 50% of the population by 2030. The CEO also stressed the importance of safety when handling LPG and called for adherence to safety precautions.
Mr Egyapa Mercer, Deputy Minister for Energy, noted that the Ministry is working to distribute approximately two million LPG cookstoves and related accessories to households, both in rural and urban areas, as part of the National LPG Promotion policy.
The goal is to provide at least 50% of Ghanaians with access to safe, clean, and environmentally friendly LPG by 2030.
Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Western Regional Minister, urged citizens to recognise the value of clean cooking and a healthy lifestyle associated with LPG usage and encouraged stakeholders to collaborate in achieving the national LPG usage target by 2030.
As part of the week-long celebration, the NPA will engage with various groups, including market women, drivers, and students, to promote LPG usage and safe handling through face-to-face interactions and media sensitisation initiatives across the country.
