Leverage on Russia-Ukraine war to export gas to Europe – Ghana Gas CEO tells African leaders 

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gas Company, Dr. Benjamin K.D. Asante has challenged leaders of African nations to take advantage of the Russian-Ukraine war to expand their gas distribution capacities.

Delivering a public lecture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on the theme; “Gas commercialization: Fostering a Sustainable Petroleum Economy, Opportunities and Setbacks”, Dr. Asante expressed regret about Africa’s inability to fully use the gas it produces also transport the commodity to other parts of the world.

With Russia’s decision to cut the supply of gas to Europe, the renowned oil and gas engineer expects Africa, most especially West African countries, to use their proximity to Europe to utilize the opportunity created.

“Africa contributes about 10-15% of the total world gas production but uses only 5-6% throughout the continent. West Africa is better positioned to lead Africa in the effort to replace Russian gas supply in Europe based on its proximity and collective resources. Two pipeline transportation routes have been proposed to transport West Africa’s excess gas to Europe and if West African nations invest in this proposal, Africa will stand ready to fill the vacuum created by Russia,” he said on July 25.

Dr Asante stated that “two global phenomena are driving issues that are affecting Global Gas supply and demand, particularly in Europe. The first is the push towards carbon neutrality (thus de-carbonization of power portiolio) and Low carbon-emission generation. And the second is the impact of the Russian-Ukraine war. And even if the war were to end today, Europe’s skepticism of Russian gas supply will likely not dissipate. Africa has the opportunity to establish its gas supply credentials to meet the gas supply vacuum created by these two gas constraining phenomena.”

The oil and gas consultant acknowledged the need for Africa to deal with its infrastructure and technological insufficiencies and tax regimes to achieve the proposed gas supply initiative.

“Africa must address its own energy poverty – stemming from a lack of infrastructure between net importers and net exporters of gas. The continent has to create composite sustainable gas supply sources or hubs that are reliable and secured handling and transportation infrastructure. It should also provide an enabling fiscal and tax regimes to attract the required investment (both locally & internationally) for the installation of the requisite infrastructure,” he proposed.

Dr Asante further called for capacity development of students and young professionals to ensure the sustainability of Ghana’s gas and energy sectors.

“While we work to develop a master plan or roadmap for guiding the development of these sectors, let’s ensure there is a clear and appropriate Institutional and Regulatory framework. We need to also promote the building of local intellectual capacity for the sustainability of the industry. There should be a significant push between academia and industry to close the gap of insufficient human resources with the requisite expertise,” he recommended.

Issah Zakariah/Akoma FM/3news.com

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