MT Asharami Ghana will improve fuel trade – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama says the commissioning of the MT Asharami Ghana LPG carrier will strengthen fuel trade and transportation in West Africa.

The President explained that Ghana relies significantly on imported liquefied petroleum gas to meet domestic demand, making reliable transportation infrastructure critical to the country’s energy security and economic activity.

He indicated that the arrival of the new vessel would help streamline the movement of LPG into the country while ensuring that businesses, industries and households that depend on the fuel continue to receive stable supplies.

“Countries across our sub-region continue to expand access to cleaner and more reliable energy,” Mahama said.

“Ghana imports 50 percent of our LPG requirements and so this vessel, MT Asharami Ghana, will strengthen our collective ability to transport LPG safely, efficiently and at scale.”

According to him, the improved transportation capacity will make it easier for distributors to move LPG across coastal terminals within the region, thereby strengthening the energy trade network and supporting economic development.

He also noted that dependable energy supply is essential for modern economic growth, adding that the vessel would help ensure industries and households have consistent access to cleaner fuel sources.

“In doing so, it will help ensure that businesses, industries and households can depend on modern energy services that support economic growth and improve the quality of life of our citizens,” the President stated.

Mahama commended the leadership of Sahara Group, West African Gas Limited, and their partners for investing in the LPG carrier, describing the initiative as a demonstration of how private investment can address infrastructure gaps in Africa’s energy sector.

He stressed that collaboration between governments and private investors remains key to expanding regional energy markets and unlocking broader economic opportunities across the continent.

The MT Asharami Ghana is a modern liquefied petroleum gas carrier designed to move large volumes of LPG safely across regional and international shipping routes. The vessel is equipped with advanced cargo-handling technology and safety systems to ensure efficient delivery to coastal storage terminals across West Africa.

Its commissioning comes at a time when LPG consumption in Ghana continues to grow, driven by government efforts to promote cleaner cooking fuels and reduce dependence on charcoal and firewood.

Energy sector data shows that the country consumes between 350,000 and 400,000 tonnes of LPG annually, with demand rising due to population growth and expanding industrial use.

Industry observers say the addition of the MT Asharami Ghana will enhance Ghana’s import capacity, ease supply bottlenecks and strengthen the country’s position in the regional LPG market.