Dr. Ben Asante shares Ghana Gas success story with SIGA forum

Chief executives of state-owned institutions learnt at first hand, the success story of the Ghana National Gas Company (GNCC), since 2017, under the leadership of Dr. Ben Asante.

The CEO revealed the institution of several initiatives, which resulted in the transformation of the GNCC to become a major player in the power sector both locally and internationally.

Some of these policy initiatives include maintenance of a balance sheet from bad to clean, recording a profit of over $60million and the acquisition of an ultra-modern office space in Accra to serve as the company’s Head Office as well as the construction of GNCC’s gas complex at their operational base at Allabokazo in the Western Region.

He disclosed that following the implementation of a new human resource management policy employees saw a jump in salaries to between 30% and 85% whereas staff strength rose from 150 to 700.

Speaking at a seminar organised for all Board Chairmen, Chief Executive Officers and Director Generals of state-owned institutions by the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) in the Central Region, Dr. Ben Asante stated that, key to the company’s feat, is the decision to indigenise which has seen qualified Ghanaians taking key operations.

“The Ghana gas story is all about indigenization…,” the CEO noted, adding that the company is now profitable and ready to pay a dividend of GH₵20million to the government.

Ghana Gas in the last few months undertook major projects such as the reverse flow and the successful competition of two tie-ins at Sanzule which has increased gas production from 90 million cubic feet to 350 million cubic feet. It also embarked on some publicity programmes following the rebranding of its website, production of documentary among others.

The company continues to undertake social responsibility projects in rural communities in the Western Region where it operates, as well as other parts of the country. 

Commenting on these achievements, Head of Corporate Communications at the GNCC, Ernest Owusu Bempah, commended the CEO, the board and the entire Ghana gas team for their hard work and dedicated service which have propelled the company to its current status.

"We hope to achieve greater heights in the coming years," he added.

Apart from Dr. Asante whose presentation drew applause from participants, three other CEOS - David Asante (Ghana Publishing Company Limited), Nana Akomea (State Transport Company) and Maxwell Kofi Jumah (GIHOC distilleries), also received standing ovations at the seminar.

David Asante (2nd from right), Nana Akomea (3rd from right) in a group photo with other heads of state agencies

They were praised for their ability to transform their respective agencies from a loss-making one to a highly competitive, profit-making business entity.

Their presentations captured the state of the companies before their appointments some two years ago and progress made so far since their assumption of office.