By FELIX COFIE
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has announced plans to distribute more than 457,000 LPG cookstoves and accessories to households and institutions across Ghana over the next two years.
The initiative aims to make cleaner cooking fuels more affordable and accessible while promoting safety and sustainability in line with the government’s clean energy goals.
Announcing the plan at the 2025 Consumer Week Celebration organised by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) in Ashaiman, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, said the government is committed to expanding access to modern, safe, and reliable energy sources for all Ghanaians.
“The government’s priority is to ensure that every Ghanaian household can access safe, affordable, and sustainable energy. The LPG Promotion Programme will not only make cooking cleaner and safer but also help preserve our environment.”
The distribution, he said, forms part of Phase One of the National LPG Promotion Programme, being implemented with support from the World Bank. The goal is to ensure that at least 50 percent of Ghanaians have access to LPG by 2030.
Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM)
The initiative, according to the Deputy Minister, is complemented by the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) — a new, safer system for marketing and distributing LPG across the country.
Under the model, all cylinders are filled and inspected at licensed bottling plants before being distributed to consumers through Cylinder Exchange Points, which are strategically located and cheaper to construct.
This, according to the Minister, will enhance safety, reduce accidents, and improve access to LPG, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
The government is also revitalising the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company (GCMC) to ensure a sustainable supply of high-quality LPG cookstoves and cylinders for the Ghanaian market and beyond. An investment plan has been developed to position the company as a leading producer in the subregion.
NPA Reaffirms Commitment
Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Kudzo Tameklo, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to building a downstream petroleum sector that is innovative, efficient, and sustainable.
He said the NPA is focused on ensuring affordability, quality, and reliability in the supply of petroleum products, in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to reset and transform the energy sector under the 24-hour economy initiative.
“The Cylinder Recirculation Model is ensuring that every LPG cylinder is safely filled, inspected, and distributed only through licensed bottling plants. Our goal is to make LPG the preferred and most accessible energy choice for every Ghanaian household.”
He assured existing LPG operators that the model will not destroy their businesses but rather strengthen the industry and create new opportunities.
Mr. Tameklo urged consumers to refill only at NPA-certified outlets and to report unsafe practices. He also encouraged industry players to maintain the highest standards of safety, quality, and integrity in their operations.
Local Support
Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Ernest Henry Norgbey, commended the NPA for demonstrating strong commitment to consumer protection and encouraged households to embrace LPG use responsibly.
He also announced plans by the NPA to facilitate the establishment of more LPG Exchange Points in Ashaiman to improve access and convenience for residents.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Kumi, Board Chairman of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies, clarified that the Chamber is not opposed to the Cylinder Recirculation Model but to previous plans that sought to close existing cylinder plants without an effective transition framework.
A Cleaner, Safer Future
Both the Ministry of Energy and the NPA say they will continue to collaborate to expand access to safe, clean, and affordable LPG as part of Ghana’s transition to a sustainable and environmentally responsible energy future.
