The Ghana-flagged 40,000 cubic meters LPG carrier reinforces Sahara Group’s commitment to integrated infrastructure hinged on reliability, security and long term impact.
By Blue Africa News
A new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vessel commissioned by Ghana President John Dramani Mahama for Sahara Energy Resources in Ulsan, South Korea, will strengthen Ghana’s energy ecosystem and improve access to LPG across West Africa.
Christened “MT Asharami Ghana,” the vessel is owned by the Nigeria-based group and was commissioned as part of the Ghanaian president’s working trip to the Asian nation.
The commissioning of the vessel, according to President Mahama, not only celebrates engineering excellence, but also the power of partnership.
“It represents a crucial step toward energy security for Ghana. Such investments contribute to building a just and inclusive energy transition that benefits present and future generations,” he said.
“Ghana, like many of our neighbouring countries recognises the transformative potential of LPG in supporting socio-economic development,” he added.
Besides flying the Ghanaian flag, Mahama said MT Asharami Ghana will be dedicated to supplying the country with LPG, thereby enhancing supply security, improving reliability, and stabilising prices through more efficient logistics.
“This collective commitment demonstrates what can be achieved when innovation, investment, and collaboration come together to bridge infrastructure gaps, deepen regional markets, and unlock sustainable economic opportunities across Africa.”
He noted that LPG plays a vital role in Africa’s energy transition, stating that for millions of households across Africa, LPG offers a cleaner alternative to traditional fuels such as charcoal, firewood, and kerosene, with its wider adoption contributing not only to improved public health but also to environmental sustainability by reducing deforestation and indoor air pollution.
“Through strategic investments and forward-looking partnerships such as the commissioning of MT Asharami Ghana, we are taking practical steps to enhance energy security for Ghana, West Africa, and Africa as a whole.”
The 40,000 cubic meters LPG carrier reinforces Sahara Group’s commitment to integrated infrastructure pegged on delivering reliability, security, and long term impact.
Ghana President John Dramani Mahama during the commissioning of the new LPG vessel “MT Asharami Ghana” in South Korea. Photo courtesy: Presidency of the Republic of Ghana.
Yaa Serwaa Alifo, the Managing Director of Asharami Ghana described the vessel commissioning as a strategic investment that strengthens Ghana’s downstream petroleum infrastructure and enhances national energy security.
“Today, we commission not merely an asset at sea, but a stronger foundation for Ghana’s energy future, a decisive step forward in building a resilient, secure, and modern downstream sector,” Alifo said as quoted by Energy News Africa.
The investment, she said, aligns with President Mahama’s vision of building a resilient and sustainable downstream sector that promotes cleaner energy solutions while ensuring accessibility and security of supply for Ghanaian households and businesses.
She expressed Sahara Group’s commitment to investing responsibly, operating safely, and partnering with stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s energy transformation.
With concerns over disruption of free flow of fuel around the globe due to the Middle East conflict, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) recently assured Ghanaians that the country has enough fuel stocks to meet current and projected demand.
NPA said the government continues to take proactive steps to ensure that fuel supply remains reliable and the market stays stable.
“These measures include constant monitoring of fuel stock levels and close coordination with international oil trading companies, bulk import, distribution and export companies, as well as BOST Energies and local refineries to ensure timely imports and steady product distribution nationwide,” NPA said in a report by the nation’s broadcasting corporation.
In the Middle East, BBC reports that six ships have been attacked in less than 48 hours, bringing the total of vessels attacked since the start of the war between Iran, and Israel and United States of America to 18, quoting the United Kingdom (UK) Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and the maritime intelligence company Vanguard.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News
