The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has implemented strategies to eliminate the huge jump in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) due to the implementation of the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM), according to story published by myjoyonline.com.
One of the strategies is the introduction of a tender programme for the importation of LPG, which has significantly reduced the premium on the purchase of LPG. The programme has brought down the price of LPG from $100 per metric tonne (MT) to $30 MT, giving the country a saving of $70 MT, which will be used for investment in cylinders and bottling plants under the CRM.
The Bono Regional Manager of the NPA, Kwadwo Odarno Appiah, gave the information at the Bono Regional version of the NPA town hall meetings on CRM in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital on Thursday.He said NPA would continue to engage the Ministry of Finance to consider the removal of certain taxes to reduce the price of LPG to make it affordable for all.
MrAppiah said Ghanaians would begin to exchange their old cylinders for new cylinders under the CRM in the coming weeks.The meeting, which brought together hundreds of people, was aimed at sensitising the public on the implementation of the CRM.It was also to update and educate them about the policy, its intended purposes and solicit their support in the implementation of the policy.
MrAppiah said the NPA had had several engagements with service providers, industry experts and external stakeholders to ensure successful implementation.According to him, they had also conducted several consumer sensitisation campaigns and programmes to educate the public on CRM and the safe use of LPG in general.
In our opinion, the initiatives by the NPA to stabilise and reduce the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) are commendable strides towards fostering a healthier, safer and more environmentally sustainable cooking culture in Ghana.By reducing the price of LPG from $100 per metric tonne (MT) to $30 MT is a significant achievement that underscores the effectiveness of strategic planning and execution by the NPA.
One of the notable aspects of the CRM is the plan for Ghanaians to exchange their old cylinders for new ones in the coming weeks. This approach not only ensures safety, but also promotes the use of standardised equipment, reducing the risk of accidents associated with substandard or outdated cylinders.
Additionally, the NPA’s ongoing engagement with the Ministry of Finance, to consider the removal of certain taxes on LPG to make it more affordable, is a pragmatic move and if successful will further ease the financial burden on consumers and encourage widespread adoption of LPG.
The harmful effects of smoke from firewood and charcoal, particularly on women who spend long hours in the kitchen, are well-documented. The smoke not only causes respiratory diseases but also affects their overall well-being, making them weak and impacting their eyesight over time.
This cooking style, prevalent in Ghana and much of Africa, places the lives of women in jeopardy. Promoting LPG as a cleaner, safer, and healthier alternative is, therefore, not justenvironmentally imperative, but a public health necessity.The long-term benefits of reduced deforestation, better air quality, and improved public health cannot be overstated.
It is the hope of The Chronicle that actions being taken by the NPA will be sustained and not just seen as one-off exercises. Continuous engagement with stakeholders, rigorous public sensitization campaigns, and robust policy support are essential to ensure the successful and widespread adoption of LPG.
