The National Petroleum Authority’s chief executive, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has stated that the Authority’s objective in the energy sector is to assist in the eradication of energy poverty.
In order to make LPG more available and inexpensive for Ghanaians, particularly the poor, he said the NPA would work with the Cabinet to abolish some levies on it.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid promised that in order for investors who planned to build cylinder bottling operations in the north to receive the greatest return on their investments, he would argue for tax breaks for a period of time.
At the beginning of an awareness and sensitization campaign to encourage the usage of liquefied petroleum gas on Tuesday in Accra, the NPA Boss made this known (LPGA).
The goal is to expand LPG penetration for home, commercial, and industrial operations from the present 37 percent to 50 percent by 2030 while discouraging the use of wood fuel (firewood and charcoal).
According to Dr. Abdul-Hamid, the goal of the LPG campaign’s debut was to make LPG more accessible, available, and inexpensive for Ghanaians.
We recognize that possibly the majority of Ghanaians live in poverty and cannot afford to purchase gas and cylinders. Therefore, we at NPA are working extremely hard to make it simple for individuals to access LPG in partnership with our sector government, he said.
The LPG Awareness and Sensitization Campaign was inaugurated in Accra on Tuesday by the Second Lady, Hajia Samira Bawumia, who urged the public, particularly women, to adopt LPG as a cleaner, safer, and healthier cooking fuel.
According to her, using firewood and charcoal for cooking also contributes to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases and black carbon into the atmosphere, as well as by causing deforestation by cutting down trees, sometimes even valuable ones like the shea and oak trees.
She pointed out that Ghana, like many other Sub-Saharan African nations, mainly relies on solid biomass fuels for heating and cooking in both residential and commercial settings.
In most rural villages, Hajia Samira claimed, women and children must go great distances to gather fuel in the form of firewood, and she added that this tiresome and time-consuming activity leaves little time for other useful pursuits.
She claimed that in addition to being physically demanding, there are several risks involved, such as an increased risk of sexual assault and bites from venomous animals.
In addition to having a negative impact on health, she claimed that this restricts access to education, which often limits prospects for economic progress. She added that “primarily women and children bear the burden of this.”
LPG is a clean, safe, and effective alternative cooking fuel, according to Hajia Samira, who was pleased that the NPA was encouraging its use to help the government reach its goal of boosting LPG usage to 50% by 2030.
“Estimates show that using LPG for cooking results in a daily productivity gain of roughly four (4) hours. These additional daily hours can be put to good use in industries like education, agriculture, and other businesses that generate income.
In addition to considerably advancing gender equity, she claimed that through expanding access and use of LPG, “we have an unprecedented chance to promote health, alleviate poverty, protect the environment, and enhance livelihoods all at once.”
By incorporating details on cylinder expiration dates and when to change or replace the various LPG accessories, Hajia Samira called for more education on the safe use of LPG. I’m convinced that this campaign will raise people’s awareness of these problems.
Hajia Samira applauded the Ministry of Energy and the NPA for their dedication to promoting LPG use in homes and other sectors of the economy.
The timing of the promotional campaign, according to the Deputy Minister of Energy, Mr. Owuraku Aidoo, was crucial given the ongoing discussion about climate change and its related environmental and health implications.
He claimed that in order to prevent further environmental degradation, governments now had a greater obligation to adapt and embrace more environmentally friendly methods.
Mr. Aidoo stated that as a result, Ghana must take the initiative in preventing any activity that has a negative impact on the environment, and that my Ministry is prepared to support the NPA and other affiliated institutions in their efforts to stem this tide for the benefit of our common good.
Source: newsthemegh.com