At the opening of the West African Gas Summit (WAGS) 2026 in Accra, the government renewed its call for the expansion of the West African Gas Pipeline and other cross-border gas infrastructure projects, underscoring their importance in deepening energy integration and supporting economic growth across the region.
Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, delivering remarks on behalf of the sector minister, highlighted the pipeline’s success as a testament to the benefits of regional cooperation. However, he stressed that further investments are necessary to unlock West Africa’s abundant gas resources and fully realise the potential of interconnection and cross-border trade.
“The West African Gas Pipeline shows what is achievable, but there is still significant potential to expand interconnection and cross-border trade. The more integrated our markets are, the more resilient and appealing they become,” he told participants.
Describing natural gas as a catalyst for industrialisation, job creation, and improved living standards, Gyan-Mensah noted that resources alone are not enough. He emphasised the need for robust infrastructure, sound policies, and strategic partnerships to drive sustainable development. “For West Africa, gas must be central, not just as an end in itself, but as a tool for industrialisation, economic transformation, and improved living standards,” he remarked.
He revealed that Ghana’s domestic gas fields currently supply about 80 percent of the natural gas used in power generation and industry, helping to lower electricity costs and bolster energy security. Any disruption in gas supply, he warned, forces reliance on more expensive liquid fuels, a burden on both power generation and the broader economy.
Gyan-Mensah also called for greater private sector participation to finance the region’s ambitious gas infrastructure projects, pointing out that governments alone cannot shoulder the immense investment required for transformation.
The summit, organised by the Gas Consortium and the West Africa Gas Pipeline Authority, brought together policymakers, regulators, investors, and industry leaders to chart a course for accelerated gas sector development and deeper regional energy integration throughout West Africa.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com