The introduction of a new gas processing plant would help Ghana phase out the use of crude oil in its power generation, President John Dramani Mahama has said.
Mahama announced during the 2025 Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan that the West African cocoa, gold, and crude oil exporter plans to develop a second gas processing train, which will significantly expand domestic gas supply and improve energy efficiency.
He emphasized that the current plant in Atuabo is insufficient to handle the additional gas from the first field, necessitating the construction of a second train.
“We are going to put more gas on stream, so we need a second train because our current plant in Atuabo cannot handle the extra gas,” he explained.
Mahama believes that transitioning from crude oil to natural gas will alleviate the energy sector’s burden, which has been plagued by high operational costs and mounting debts to independent power producers (IPPs).
“ENI are back, they are drilling again, and early signs are that we might find a considerable quantity of oil and gas,” he added. “When that happens, we can eliminate crude oil in power generation completely in the next three to five years.”
He also touted the country’s economic recovery, citing a stable macroeconomic environment ripe for business.
He extended an invitation to investors to partner with the government in scaling up oil and gas infrastructure for long-term growth.
“The oil and gas sector was toxic… But I will lay a red carpet for anyone who wants to drill and pump in Ghana,” he said, emphasizing the country’s potential for upstream and midstream opportunities.
With this strategic shift, Ghana aims to create a more sustainable and efficient energy sector, attracting investment and driving growth in the process.