The West Africa Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) has announced that ongoing maintenance work on its gas pipelines is expected to be completed by March 2, 2025, with 70 percent of the work already done.
The company, which operates the 569-kilometre pipeline from Nigeria through Tema to Takoradi, temporarily shut down gas transmission on February 5, 2025, to facilitate maintenance activities, including pipeline cleaning and inspections.
Speaking at a press conference at WAPCo’s Regulating and Metering Station in Tema, Operations and Maintenance Superintendent (West), Benoni Owusu Ayeh, explained that the shutdown was necessary to launch the Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) into the system for cleaning and regulatory inspections.
“WAPCo is required by regulations to conduct pigging every five years to maintain the integrity of the pipeline. So far, three PIGs have been successfully launched from Tema to Takoradi, with the fourth expected to be received in the early hours of Saturday,” he stated.
He further noted that once the fourth PIG is received, the final “intelligent PIG” will be deployed to collect critical data on the interior condition of the pipeline.
Gas Supply Continues Despite Maintenance
Dr. Isaac Adjei Doku, WAPCo’s General Manager for Corporate Affairs, dismissed reports suggesting that Ghana was not receiving gas from Nigeria due to the maintenance.
“Some gas is still coming through since the pigging process requires gas to travel through the pipeline. The gas used for pigging is being delivered at Takoradi and is currently supporting power generation by the Volta River Authority (VRA),” he clarified.
He also revealed that the maintenance period is being used to replace two subsea valves at Tema and Cotonou. “The replacement vessel got into position on Monday, 18 kilometers offshore from the Tema Regulating and Metering Station, and by Wednesday, lateral depressurisation was done to commence the valve replacement, which is ongoing,” he said.
WAPCo Appeals For Public Support
Managing Director of WAPCo, Michelle Burkett, appealed to the media to help inform the public about the importance of the maintenance works in ensuring the long-term integrity of the pipeline.
The President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has charged government to urgently reform the Value Added Tax (VAT) system, describing it as “the killer in the room” for local businesses.
Dr Humphrey Ayim-Darke underscored the distortions VAT creates in the market, stressing that its current structure is stifling the operations of companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“The major tax issue that we have tabled is the rationalization of the VAT. We believe strongly that it is distorting a lot of operations,” he said on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, February 20.
He illustrated the problem with a striking example: “Two companies in the same sector, both importing the same item and paying the same charge for the raw materials that come in are treated differently under the current VAT structure. This inconsistency is distorting the market.”
The AGI president did not mince words when highlighting how the VAT system is undermining fair competition.
“If you want to implement a total VAT at 21%, then we say, do input-output. Don’t embed levies that distort operations. When you do that, businesses have no choice but to pass the cost on to consumers,” he explained. Dr. Ayim-Darke emphasized that once the government addresses the VAT issue, it will be incumbent on state agencies to ensure compliance and effective collection.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts to eliminate some taxes, Dr. Ayim-Darke remained firm that VAT reform should be the priority.
“We welcome the removal of some COVID-related taxes and betting taxes. That’s a good step. But let’s be honest, the VAT is the biggest hurdle. It’s the elephant in the room, or as I put it, the killer in the room. It must be streamlined,” he urged.
Dr. Ayim-Darke’s remarks signal a decisive push by the AGI to influence fiscal policy, with the association making VAT reform its foremost proposal to the Finance Ministry.
Renowned businessman and Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, Sir Sam Jonah, has strongly criticised the collapse of UT Bank, describing it as a significant act of economic injustice that has stifled private sector growth in Ghana.
He argued that the government’s decision to shut down the bank six years ago has had far-reaching consequences, discouraging ambitious entrepreneurs from pursuing transformative ventures.
Speaking at the launch of ‘The UT Story: Volume 3’ by Prince Kofi Amoabeng, Sir Sam Jonah underscored the critical need to protect businesses from undue political interference.
He emphasised that a stable and predictable business environment is essential for long-term economic prosperity, warning that excessive state control undermines investor confidence and stifles entrepreneurial ambition.
Reflecting on the closure of UT Bank, he described it as a painful chapter in Mr Amoabeng’s journey, highlighting the betrayal and harsh realities that come with power and politics.
“The seizure of his bank was one of the most egregious acts of economic injustice perpetrated by the state; a move driven by malice, deceit, envy, and jealousy,” he lamented.
Sir Sam Jonah further noted that the bank’s collapse was not just a financial failure but a symbolic setback for Ghanaian entrepreneurship.
He stressed that it sent a chilling message to business owners and innovators—that no matter how diligent, rule-abiding, and hardworking they may be, their success could be undone at any moment by those in authority.
He urged policymakers to learn from such events and prioritise the creation of a business-friendly environment that fosters growth rather than suppressing ambition.
According to him, Ghana’s economic progress depends on the ability of its leaders to nurture and support the private sector rather than allowing political agendas to dictate the fate of thriving businesses.
“Our first proposal on tax issues is clear: rationalize the VAT. Let’s stop the market distortions and help local industries thrive,” he concluded.
She assured that WAPCo would continue to engage the media to ensure proper dissemination of information regarding such maintenance activities.
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