New Gas Processing Plant Will Transform Ghana’s Energy Sector – Finance Minister
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has hailed the upcoming Second Gas Processing Plant (GPP II) as a transformative initiative poised to reshape the country’s energy landscape, create thousands of jobs, and deliver significant economic savings.
Speaking at the inauguration of the GPP II Implementation Committee at the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Dr. Forson highlighted the high cost of relying on imported liquid fuels—an expense that exceeds $1 billion annually—as unsustainable for the nation.
“Without the Atuabo Gas Plant, Ghana would have been in serious crisis. We now have a new opportunity to secure our energy future,” Dr. Forson stated.
He revealed that the new gas processing facility is projected to save Ghana nearly $500 million every two years, enabling the project to pay for itself quickly. In addition, it is expected to generate more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Dr. Forson, together with Energy and Green Transition Minister John Abdulai Jinapor, officially inaugurated the technical committee that will oversee the plant’s development. The committee is chaired by the Deputy Minister for Energy and has been directed to present a full implementation roadmap within four weeks.
“This project is vital for our economic stability and national welfare. We can no longer afford bureaucratic delays—action is needed now,” Dr. Forson emphasized.
Energy Minister John Jinapor also stressed the urgency of the initiative, noting that little has been done to expand gas processing infrastructure since the Atuabo Gas Plant was commissioned. Ghana’s increasing dependence on costly imported fuels, he warned, is placing mounting pressure on public finances and compromising energy security.
Once operational, GPP II is expected to significantly enhance Ghana’s natural gas supply for both electricity generation and industrial use. The project is also anticipated to reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuels, ease foreign exchange pressures, and strengthen Ghana’s position as a regional energy hub over time.
Two key committees were inaugurated during the ceremony: a Technical Implementation Committee and a Communications and Social License Committee, the latter chaired by Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Hajia Shamima Muslim.
Industry experts have praised the government’s commitment to the project, viewing GPP II as a critical step toward stabilizing power generation costs, improving energy reliability, and boosting investor confidence in Ghana’s energy sector.
