The Nzema Advocacy for Peace and Development (NAPaD), a coalition of concerned stakeholders, has issued a strong call for the immediate removal of Dr. Ben Asante as the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Gas Company Limited.
Background
Ghana Gas was established through the leadership of Dr. Sipa Yankey and then-Energy Minister, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, between 2011 and 2016. Despite Ghana’s nascent experience in the gas sector, their efforts successfully delivered critical infrastructure, saving the nation approximately $300 million annually in foreign exchange. This included:
– Providing sales/lean gas for power plants
– Supplying LPG for domestic cooking
– Producing condensate for premix and other fuels
Since 2017, the daily operations and maintenance of the Gas Processing Plant at Atuabo and other stations have been handled exclusively by Ghanaian engineers. This local expertise has resulted in significant cost savings, amounting to an estimated $2-3 million per month compared to outsourcing operations to foreign experts.
Given their extensive hands-on experience, the Ghanaian engineers have proven their technical competency, negating the argument that Dr. Ben Asante must remain at post based on technical expertise.
Dr. Ben Asante has served in various capacities at Ghana Gas from 2011 to 2016 before returning as CEO in 2017 under the current government. Having spent approximately 13 years at the company, he is now beyond the statutory retirement age and has been on contract since 2023.
NAPaD strongly believes that Ghana Gas now requires a CEO with a business-oriented mindset, strong leadership, and managerial skills—rather than solely a technical background. The group emphasizes the importance of:
– Executing the second phase of the Gas Processing Plant
– Establishing the Axim LPG Bottling Plant
– Ensuring stability in gas and LPG supply within the energy value chain
– Creating more employment opportunities
Furthermore, Ghana’s regulatory bodies in the oil and gas sector are currently led by non-technical experts:
– Petroleum Commission CEO: Madam Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle (lawyer)
– National Petroleum Authority CEO: Hon. Godwin Kudze Tameklo (lawyer)
As a midstream sector player, Ghana Gas does not necessarily require a technical expert as CEO. Instead, a visionary leader with strong management acumen can rely on the company’s existing technical expertise to ensure operational efficiency and business growth.
Urgent Call to the President
NAPaD urges President Nana Akufo-Addo to take swift action in replacing Dr. Ben Asante. The group stresses that this decision is critical for the future of the ruling government in the host communities, emphasizing the need for strategic leadership to drive Ghana Gas forward.
Signed:
Augustine Quayson
Convener, NAPaD
NAIMOS has intensified its fight against illegal mining at some parts of the Ahafo Region,… Read More
Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is scheduled to appear before a court in the United… Read More
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Gaming Commission of Ghana, Lamtiig Apanga, has advised… Read More
Renowned Ghanaian gospel music pioneer and founder of the Asomafo gospel ensemble, Yaw Sarpong, has… Read More
Former Forestry Commission official Charles Owusu has lauded former President John Mahama for demonstrating humility… Read More
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has attributed the recent decline in… Read More