Civil society organisations are calling on the government to expedite the approval and construction of Ghana’s Second Gas Processing Plant (GPP II), describing the project as critical to strengthening the country’s energy security and reducing fuel import costs.
The proposed plant is expected to expand Ghana’s gas processing capacity beyond the current 120 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) handled at the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant.
Advocates say the expansion would boost domestic energy supply, support industrial growth and position Ghana as a regional gas processing hub.
Industry estimates suggest the country loses about 151 million US dollars annually from unprocessed natural gas liquids. With Ghana spending more than one billion US dollars each year on liquid fuel imports, stakeholders argue that investing roughly half that amount in a second gas processing plant could generate savings of up to 500 million US dollars annually.
During a familiarisation visit to the Atuabo facility, Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, urged authorities to accelerate the project.
He said the completion of “Train Two” under GPP II would significantly increase gas output, potentially making Ghana self-sufficient in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and reducing or eliminating LPG imports.
Mr Amoah added that increased gas supply would also benefit the power sector by providing more fuel for thermal generation.
“We are pleading that whatever support government can provide to expedite the coming on stream of Train Two should be done within the next 12 to 24 months,” he said, warning that delays would result in continued financial losses.
The Head of Corporate Communications at Ghana National Gas Company, Richard Kirk Mensah, said the visit by civil society groups was intended to give them first-hand insight into the company’s operations.
He expressed confidence that greater engagement would help shape informed public discourse about Ghana Gas and its expansion plans.
Albert Mensah Tandoh of the company’s Operations Department said Ghanaian engineers and technical staff were ready to deliver the project once government approval is secured.
“We have the experience, the land, the expertise and the facilities to expand,” he said, adding that local manpower would be able to operate both the existing plant and the proposed second facility in parallel.
In May 2025, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, inaugurated an implementation committee to oversee the construction of the second gas processing plant. However, no definitive timeline has been announced for the project’s commencement or completion.
Stakeholders say swift action is needed to ensure Ghana maximises its gas resources and reduces its dependence on costly fuel imports.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
