Otumfuo Inaugurates Genser Gas Pipeline Project in Kumasi; Commends Energy Minister for Conceiving Project

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, inaugurated the Genser Energy Ghana Limited’s Kumasi Pipeline Project at Anwomaso.

The 430-kilometre natural gas pipeline seeks to bolster the country’s power sector and accelerate economic development , especially in the Ashanti Region. It was conceived by the Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh and built by Genser Energy.

Otumfuo Commends Napo
Speaking at the ceremony, the Asantehene commended the Energy Minister for the great role he played in bringing the project to Kumasi, which he said would not only benefit Ashanti Region but other parts of the northern sector.

The Asantehene expressed concern about the way Dr. Prempeh was castigated just because he wanted to bring Genser Energy to Kumasi. “I commend my grandson Matthew Opoku Prempeh for the impressive role he played in the realization of the Genser pipeline project. They unjustifiably claimed he has been bought just because they didn’t want him to bring this project to Kumasi,but that did not discourage him from doing what was right for Asanteman and Ghana. I know his capabilities and I’m so proud of him, “ Otumfuo said.

Private Participation
The Asantehene called on the government to confront the realities of the time, and consider introducing private participation into the operations of the agencies in the power sector such as the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo).

He explained that the involvement of the private sector in the running of such establishments will bring in the needed investments to boost their operations and create jobs. “It’s about time that the government realizes that it’s not going to work for it to be involved in setting up companies without involving the private sector, it doesn’t work. The government should confront realities and involve the private sector and you can attract more investors into the country which will create more employment,” he said.

Fulfillment
In his remarks, Dr. Opoku Prempeh said the coming of the multi-million dollar project is a fulfillment of a long-held quest of the NPP government under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the Asantehene to bolster power generation and industrial development of the Ashanti Region and beyond.

He also paid glowing tribute to the brilliant minds who contributed immensely to the realization of the project, notably, the Vice President oDr. Mahamudu Bawumia, past Ministers for Energy, Technical Advisors and ithe dynamic team at the Ministry of Energy.

New Power Plants
The Energy Minister said following the successful completion of the pipeline project, it is heartwarming that private and public entities including the VRA, AKSA, CENIT, have resolved to relocate or build new power plants at Anwomaso to utilize the facility.

“This project, I have no doubt, will rejuvenate the industrial sector of the Ashanti Region by enhancing the supply of natural gas to key stakeholders, ultimately positioning the region as pivotal industrial hub within the overarching context of the NPP government’s industrialisation agenda,” he stated.

Present at the ceremony were the Chairman of Genser Power Africa, Nana Osae Nyampong VI, and the Chairman of the Oppenheimer Generation, Jonathan Oppenheimer, among others dignitaries.