President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday commissioned Sahara Group Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel, christened MT Asharami Ghana in Ulsan, South Korea.
The commissioning of the vessel is part of the President’s five-day working visit to the East Asian nation.
The vessel, which is part of Sahara Group’s downstream fleet, was designed for efficient, safe, and reliable LPG transportation, reflecting Sahara Group’s commitment to strengthening energy infrastructure and fostering sustainable development in the West Africa sub-region.
It was built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Limited, an industry leader in shipbuilding.
President Mahama in his address commended the leadership, technical expertise, and strategic foresight demonstrated by Sahara Group, the West African Gas Limited (WAGL), Energy, and all the partners involved in bringing the project to fruition.
He said their commitment demonstrated what could be achieved when innovation, investment, and collaboration come together to bridge infrastructure gaps, deepen regional markets, and unlock sustainable economic opportunities across Africa.
The President said the commissioning of the vessel also underscored the enduring value of international cooperation.
He said it reflected the strength of partnership between Africa and our friends around the world – partnership that was grounded in mutual respect, shared prosperity, and a collective commitment to sustainable development.
“This occasion represents more than the launch of a vessel. It marks a significant milestone in strengthening the infrastructure that underpins the global liquefied petroleum gas supply chain,” he stated.
“For countries such as Ghana and many across Africa that rely partly on LPG imports to complement domestic production, the expansion of global shipping capacity is essential.”
The President noted that it enhanced supply security, improved reliability, stabilized prices through more efficient logistics, and created opportunities to diversify supply sources across international markets.
“Today we celebrate not only engineering excellence but also the power of partnership.”
The President said the commissioning of this state-of-the-art dual-fuel, fully refrigerated LPG carrier reflects the collective vision and collaboration of key stakeholders committed to advancing safe, efficient, and responsible energy distribution.
He said through the WAGL energy initiative, the vessel represented a strategic addition to a growing fleet that was designed to support the evolving energy needs of our sub-region.
President Mahama said its deployment significantly expanded LPG transport capacity and signaled a new chapter in regional energy logistics.
He noted that more importantly, it reflected a shared commitment to strengthening access to reliable and cleaner energy across West Africa and the African continent.
He said energy access and the transition to cleaner energy sources remained among the defining challenges of their time; stating that LPG played a vital role in this transition.
He said for millions of households across Africa, LPG offered a cleaner alternative to traditional fuels such as charcoal, firewood, and kerosene.
The President said its wider adoption contributed not only to improved public health but also to environmental sustainability by reducing deforestation and indoor air pollution.
He said through strategic investments and forward-looking partnerships such as the one they were celebrating the commissioning of the vessel, they were taking practical steps to enhance energy security for Ghana, West Africa, and Africa as a whole.
President Mahama said these efforts contributed to building a just and inclusive energy transition that benefits future and present generations.
He said Ghana, like many of their neighboring countries, recognized the transformative potential of LPG in supporting socio-economic development.
From powering our industries to improving household energy access in most rural and urban communities, LPG had become an important component of our broader energy strategy.
He said while Ghana produced locally about 50 per cent of their LPG requirements, they still relied on imports for the other 50 per cent of local consumption.
Adding that countries across their sub-region continued to expand access to cleaner and more reliable energy.
Ghana imports 50 per cent of their LPG requirements.
President Mahama said MT Asharami Ghana, would strengthen their collective ability to transport LPG safely, efficiently, and at scale.
He said in doing so, they would help ensure that businesses, industries, and households could depend on modern energy services that support economic growth and improve the quality of life of their citizens.
“As we look to the future, let us continue to support initiatives that expand access to clean energy, promote inclusive economic growth, and strengthen the resilience of our economy.”
The President said MT Asharami Ghana not only carried the flag of Ghana, but was also dedicated to supplying Ghana with liquefied petroleum gas.
He said together with investment in the 6,000 metric ton storage facility, Sahara Group Limited is taking Ghana one more step towards energy security.
“May LPG vessel MT Asharami Ghana stand as a symbol of progress, one that inspires further investment, innovation, and collaboration across Africa’s energy value chain,” the President said.
“Together, we can build the infrastructure, partnerships, and policies necessary to secure a sustainable and prosperous energy future for our continent,” he added.
GNA
