President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned a new Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier, adding transport capacity that could help stabilize fuel supplies in Ghana and across West Africa as the region expands access to cleaner cooking fuels.
The vessel, named MT Asharami Ghana, was introduced as part of an energy initiative led by West African Gas Limited aimed at strengthening LPG logistics in the region. The ship is a dual-fuel, fully refrigerated carrier designed to move large volumes of LPG safely across international routes.
Speaking at the naming ceremony of the LPG carrier Asharami Ghana in Ulsan, the President described the event as “more than the launch of a vessel,” noting that it represents a milestone in strengthening infrastructure that supports the global LPG supply chain.
According to him, the commissioning goes beyond a ceremonial launch and represents a step toward reinforcing infrastructure that supports the global LPG supply chain. “For countries such as Ghana that rely partly on LPG imports to complement domestic production, expanding global shipping capacity enhances supply security and improves reliability,” he said.
Ghana produces about half of its LPG requirements locally and imports the remaining 50%, making transport capacity a critical factor in ensuring stable supply and price levels. The government has been promoting LPG adoption as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on traditional fuels such as firewood, charcoal and kerosene.
The deployment of the new carrier is expected to expand LPG transport capacity for Ghana and neighboring markets, potentially improving supply flexibility and allowing the region to source fuel from a wider range of international producers.
Mahama said the investment reflects increasing cooperation between governments and private sector partners to strengthen energy infrastructure across the continent. “Energy access and the transition to cleaner energy sources remain among the defining challenges of our time,” he said, noting that LPG continues to play a key role as a transitional fuel in many African economies.
Governments across West Africa are pushing policies to expand LPG use in households and industry to curb deforestation and reduce indoor air pollution linked to the use of solid fuels.
The addition of the vessel, Mahama notes, signals a broader effort to build a more resilient regional energy logistics network capable of supporting growing demand for cleaner fuels.
