In a vital initiative aimed at fostering a stronger relationship with the media and promoting public understanding of the gas industry, the Ghana National Gas Company Limited (Ghana Gas) hosted a one-day training session for journalists on August 22, 2025.
The event took place at the Palms Hotel in Takoradi, Western Region, under the theme “Media’s Role in Shaping Perception: Overview of Ghana Gas Company Limited.”
A Commitment to Informed Journalism
The training, organized by the Corporate Affairs Department of Ghana Gas, sought to deepen journalists’ understanding of the gas sector, including its operations, safety measures, and community involvement.
Judith Adjobah Blay, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Gas, opened the session by underscoring the significance of accurate journalism in shaping public opinion about the gas industry. “The participants, primarily journalists, are now equipped with factual information to report responsibly about Ghana Gas. This empowerment enables the media to deliver accurate and impactful energy news,” she noted, while also sharing insights into the company’s inception and its mission to commercialize gas in Ghana.
Training Amid a Strategic Shutdown
Coinciding with a 10-day maintenance shutdown of the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant, the timing of the training was deliberate, reflecting Ghana Gas’s commitment to transparency and operational integrity. CEO Adjobah Blay remarked that the shutdown serves as a crucial “health check-up” for the plant, ensuring its safety, reliability, and overall integrity.
In-Depth Insights into Ghana’s Gas Value Chain
During the training, Benjamin Buabeng Acheampong from the Commercial Department provided a comprehensive overview of Ghana’s gas value chain and the integral role of Ghana Gas as an aggregator. He traced the company’s journey since its establishment in 2011, highlighting the commissioning of key facilities and the broader context of the petroleum sector in Ghana.
Addressing Community Engagement and Land Use Challenges
John Kofi Fayemi discussed Ghana Gas’s community engagement strategies and compensation frameworks, addressing critical issues such as land acquisition, buffer zones, and the imperative to combat illegal mining (galamsey) activities near the company’s installations. “We cannot compromise the safety and operational integrity of our infrastructure. We must secure social licenses from project communities and ensure proper legal ownership of lands used,” he emphasized.
Strategic Expansion and Financial Transparency
Leo Akufo Kwapong brought attention to Ghana Gas’s expanding role in the energy landscape, particularly its involvement in the Cash Waterfall Mechanism to ensure fair revenue distribution across the energy value chain. He also shared updates on the development of a second Gas Processing Plant, reflecting Ghana Gas’s strategic focus on meeting increasing energy demands and building a resilient national gas infrastructure.
Strengthening Media-Ghana Gas Partnership
In closing, Richard Ernest Kirk-Mensah, Head of Corporate Affairs, reiterated Ghana Gas’s dedication to fostering transparent and collaborative relations with the media. “We are committed to building a transparent and collaborative relationship with the media. Together, we can effectively communicate the story of Ghana Gas and its vision for national development,” he stated.
A Path Forward
The training in Takoradi represented a crucial step in Ghana Gas’s media engagement strategy, emphasizing the importance of educating journalists and promoting transparency. By demystifying its operations, Ghana Gas reinforced its role as a responsible corporate citizen, illustrating that informed journalism can significantly contribute to national development through enhanced energy literacy and responsible reporting.
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