The Managing Director of GOIL, Edward Abambire Bawa, has called for government interventions to make Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) more affordable and accessible to households, particularly in rural and underserved communities in Ghana. He believes that despite making LPG available, some consumers may still resort to firewood due to economic circumstances. This call was made during a working visit by Parliament's Committee on Energy to GOIL in Accra.
According to Mr. Bawa, Ghana must develop a policy framework that distinguishes between domestic and commercial LPG consumption and provides incentives for household use. He emphasized that affordability remains a major barrier to transitioning from traditional cooking fuels to LPG, particularly in rural communities. Simply making LPG available may not be enough if households cannot afford it, as they may still opt for cheaper alternatives like firewood.
The GOIL Managing Director highlighted the health and environmental consequences associated with continued use of firewood for cooking. Exposure to smoke from traditional cooking fuels contributes to respiratory health concerns, particularly among women who are often more exposed to household cooking environments. Mr. Bawa believes that incentives aimed at reducing the cost of LPG for domestic consumers could encourage more households to make the switch.
To improve LPG accessibility, GOIL is working with partners to establish additional LPG storage capacity and expand distribution infrastructure. This includes using mobile or flatbed arrangements for transporting cylinders to communities and providing cylinder cages at its outlets. With an extensive network of about 450 outlets nationwide, GOIL aims to position itself as a national company that leads efforts to deliver LPG in a safe and accessible manner.
Mr. Bawa emphasized that improving domestic access to LPG should form part of a broader national conversation on energy affordability, public health, and environmental protection. The objective should be to ensure that the transition from traditional cooking fuels to LPG is not hindered by economic constraints. He believes that a national effort is required to address these issues and make LPG more accessible to households.
GOIL's measures to improve LPG accessibility include expanding its distribution infrastructure and providing incentives for domestic consumers. The company plans to work with partners to establish additional LPG storage capacity and improve access to LPG for consumers. With its extensive network of outlets, GOIL is well-positioned to take LPG closer to consumers across the country.
The GOIL Managing Director's call for incentives to make LPG more affordable for households has significant implications for Ghana's energy sector. As the country seeks to transition from traditional cooking fuels to LPG, addressing the issue of affordability will be crucial. By providing incentives and expanding access to LPG, GOIL and the government can work together to promote a safer and more sustainable energy future for Ghanaian households.
Key points
- GOIL Managing Director Edward Abambire Bawa calls for government incentives to make LPG more affordable for households.
- Affordability remains a major barrier to transitioning from traditional cooking fuels to LPG in Ghana.
- GOIL is working to expand LPG accessibility through infrastructure development and incentives for domestic consumers.
