Residents support Cylinder Recirculation Model for safe LPG use
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has formed a partnership with two organisations to begin a nationwide campaign to influence the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and the adoption of the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) to promote safety.
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The national campaign being executed in collaboration with Oil Sustainability Programme (OSP), an initiative of Saudi Arabia, and Digicraft Advertising/Brand Management firm, with the support of the Ministry of Energy, features market activations, community durbars and town-hall meetings to educate vendors and residents on the CRM and the safe use of LPG.
The campaign began with market activations at Ashaiman, Tema, Madina, Nima and Achimota, all in the Greater Accra Region.
After a four-day National LPG awareness and sensitisation campaign which was climaxed with a durbar at Ashaiman, residents took turns to express their desire to adopt the CRM, a policy promoting safe use of LPG in the country.
A supervisor at the Gas Directorate of NPA, Johnson Gbagbo, during the climax stressed that the authority was engaging the Ministry of Finance to remove some taxes on LPG to make it more affordable and accessible to consumers.
"The price of gas may be expensive but calculate the amount of charcoal a day. It’s at a higher cost because to purchase gas would be healthier, efficient and more convenient," he stressed.
Ashaiman townhall
Speaking at the townhall durbar at the Assemblies of God Church, Central Assembly at Ashaiman, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashaiman, Ernest Henry Norgbey, expressed delight about the campaign, particularly in relation to women's education.
"I am happy that the NPA is here to create awareness, especially for our women, and to educate us about the use of gas," he said. The legislator highlighted the importance of safe use of LPG, citing recent fire incidents in specific electoral areas at Ashaiman that resulted in injuries and loss of property.
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Mr Norgbey urged the NPA to make the initiative an annual programme rather than a one-time project.
"This programme is very important and should not be a nine-day wonder. NPA should continually educate Ghanaians. As the MP for Ashaiman, my concern is for my constituents.
It should be an annual event. I encourage all of you here today to take the education and training seriously for the safety of your entire household," he urged.
Collective support
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman for Ashaiman Constituency, Narh-Gbeeku Alexander Amanor, who chaired the occasion, stressed the importance of collective support for the initiative.
"Let us unite in embracing this programme, as its benefits will be felt by all of us,” he stressed.
A representative of Digicraft Advertising/Brand Management, Prince Opoku, stressed the need for the people to be wary of the health risks of using charcoal and firewood.
"Research shows that smoke from firewood and charcoal can cause lung issues and respiratory problems. We encourage you to switch to gas for a healthier alternative, in support of the NPA's new policy.
This policy promotes a healthier lifestyle, and it's crucial to embrace it to protect your health,” he urged.
The Head of Consumer Services at NPA, Eunice Budu Nyarko, said the programme was aimed at achieving the objective of removing barriers to energy access in developing markets, accelerating technological developments and reducing the environmental impact on conventional energy sources, among others.
She explained that the collaboration was centred on end-user sensitisation campaign to promote LPG adoption and behavioural change, knowledge transfer and training towards the deployment of technology across the CRM value chain for efficiency and accountability, collaboration with cylinder manufacturing companies and to ensure availability of LPG cylinders and identify opportunities for investment in the LPG distribution infrastructure.
“The OSP's recognition of partnership is crucial to the successful rollout of the CRM, targeting sustainable energy, access and reduced environmental impact,” she added.
The team also engaged with market patrons at Madina, Nima and Achimota to promote safe LPG use and the benefits of CRM.
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