The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Gas Company, Dr. Ben K. D. Asante has emphasised the necessity of addressing three critical areas, namely, fuel, facilities, and funding, to eliminate unscheduled power outages in Africa. He made this call at the College of Engineering Public Lecture held on 25th July 2024, at the Great Hall of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, (KNUST), Kumasi.
Dr. Asante, speaking on the theme "Gas Commercialisation: Fostering a Sustainable Petroleum Economy, Opportunities and Setbacks," revealed that addressing these three key areas could end energy poverty in Africa. He pointed out that Africa contributes approximately 10%-15% of global gas production but consumes only 5%-6% on the continent, suggesting a significant potential for growth and export. As such, he advocated for the strategic importance of leveraging the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict to expand Africa's gas distribution to Europe. "West Africa is well-positioned to lead Africa in replacing the Russian gas supply to Europe due to its geographical proximity and abundant resources," Dr. Asante stated.
He proposed two pipeline transportation routes to deliver West Africa's surplus gas to Europe, urging West African nations to invest in this infrastructure. "If we invest in these proposals, Africa will be ready to fill the vacuum created by Russia," he added. Dr. Asante stressed the need for creating reliable and secure gas supply sources and transportation infrastructure, coupled with enabling fiscal and tax regimes to attract both local and international investments. He also underscored the importance of local capacity building and policy development to ensure a sustainable gas industry in Africa.
Dr. Asante urged academic institutions to align their curricula with the needs of the gas industry to produce engineers who are fit for purpose and equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills. He highlighted the necessity for educational programmes to evolve in response to industry demands, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to contribute effectively to the gas sector. This, he believes, will bridge the gap between academic training and industry requirements to foster a more competent and skilled workforce in the gas sector.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo, reiterated the University's commitment to contributing to the gas sector through research, innovation, and the development of skilled manpower. "This discourse will enhance our knowledge on gas commercialisation and reinforce KNUST's role in driving the sector forward," Professor Owusu-Dabo remarked.
The lecture brought together industry players in the energy sector, academia, a team from Ghana Gas, and students from the College of Engineering as well as other sister universities.
