STORY: China's contribution to Ghana's gas industry catalyzes economic development: official
DATELINE: Sept. 23, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:28
LOCATION: Accra
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the 2023 Ghana Oil and Gas Conference in Accra, the capital of Ghana
2. SOUNDBITE (English): VICTOR SUNU-ATTAH, General manager of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC)

STORYLINE:

China has made significant contributions to Ghana's utilization of natural gas resources, which has acted as a catalyst for improved economic development, a Ghanaian energy official has said.

Victor Sunu-Attah, general manager of the state-owned Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), made the remarks during the 2023 Ghana Oil and Gas Conference in Accra, the capital of Ghana, Tuesday.

In an interview with Xinhua, Sunu-Attah commended China for its financial support and technical expertise in helping establish Ghana's first gas processing plant, Ghana Gas, located in the Western Region. This facility, along with associated gas pipelines, transports natural gas to thermal plants in various parts of the country.

The official highlighted the China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) as a leading partner in building this world-class gas processing facility, saying the Chinese firm not only helped construct the plant but also trained local Ghanaians in managing it, ensuring that Ghana could harness natural gas to power its economic activities.

SOUNDBITE (English): VICTOR SUNU-ATTAH, General manager of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC)
"When we were building Ghana Gas, we got the facility from China, so they were the people largely helping us to build the Ghana Gas. When they finished building, operated it for a couple of years, knowledge was transferred to our Ghanaian operators, our technicians, our engineers, and also people in the legal sector, and in the finance sector, knowledge was transferred. And I'm sure when you go to Ghana Gas now, they are all Ghanaians, knowledge has been transferred and Ghana is better for it."

Sunu-Attah described the development of gas resources as a game changer for the country in various aspects, especially its contribution to the stability of power generation.

Although the gas sector is relatively new in Ghana, the country has efficiently harnessed its resources, making it one of the success stories of the oil and gas industry and a significant driver of economic development.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Accra.
(XHTV)