Government is advocating the expansion of the West African Gas Pipeline and other cross-border gas infrastructure projects to deepen regional energy integration, enhance energy security, and support economic growth across West Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the West African Gas Summit (WAGS) 2026 in Accra, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition Richard Gyan-Mensah, delivering remarks on behalf of the sector minister, said the success of the West African Gas Pipeline highlights the benefits of regional cooperation but stressed that additional investments are needed to unlock the sub-region’s vast gas potential.
“The West African Gas Pipeline shows what is achievable, but there is still significant potential to expand interconnection and cross-border trade. The more integrated our markets are, the more resilient and appealing they become,” he stated.
The Deputy Minister described natural gas as a critical catalyst for industrialisation, job creation and improved living standards, noting that abundant resources alone are not enough to drive development without the right infrastructure, policies and partnerships.
“For West Africa, gas must be central, not just as an end in itself, but as a tool for industrialisation, economic transformation, and improved living standards,” he said.
He revealed that domestic gas fields currently supply about 80 percent of the natural gas used for Ghana’s power generation and industrial activities, helping to reduce electricity production costs and strengthen energy security.
According to him, any disruption in gas supply often forces a shift to more expensive liquid fuels, increasing the cost of power generation and placing additional pressure on the economy.
Mr. Gyan-Mensah further called for private sector participation in financing gas infrastructure projects, arguing that governments alone cannot meet the significant investment required to transform the region’s energy landscape.
The summit, organised by the Gas Consortium and the West Africa Gas Pipeline Authority, brought together policymakers, regulators, investors and industry leaders to explore strategies for accelerating gas sector development and regional energy integration across West Africa.
