The President of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council and Paramount Chief of Atuabo in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, Awulae Blay IX, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to establish the proposed second gas processing plant at Atuabo to boost Ghana’s energy sector.

According to him, the first Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gas Company, Dr George Sipa Yankey, secured land in 2016 at Atuabo and Anokyi for the construction of the second phase of the gas processing plant, but no further action has been taken since then.

Several energy experts, including members of Parliament’s Select Committee on Energy, have previously urged President Mahama to site the second gas processing plant near the existing facility at Atuabo to reduce costs and increase the country’s energy capacity.

The proposed project, when completed, is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs for Ghanaians and significantly reduce foreign exchange expenditure on fuel imports.

Speaking to the media in the Ellembelle District, Awulae Blay IX reminded President Mahama of his campaign promise to construct the second gas processing plant in the area.

He commended President Mahama for establishing the first gas processing plant at Atuabo.

“We want to use this opportunity to remind and appeal to President John Dramani Mahama to establish the second phase of the gas processing plant in our area, as he promised during the 2024 campaign. The construction of the second phase will bring more development to the Ellembelle District, and we believe President Mahama will fulfil this promise,” he said.

Awulae Blay IX also appealed to the President to establish an Oil and Gas University in the Ellembelle District to equip young people with skills for employment in the petroleum sector.

“Ellembelle District is now an oil and gas hub, and there is the need for an Oil and Gas University to be established here to train our youth in the industry,” he stated.

In addition, he appealed to President Mahama to construct a district hospital at Nkroful to improve access to healthcare and save lives.

“I have been informed that land has already been secured for the construction of a district hospital at Nkroful. I therefore appeal to President Mahama to build the hospital for us,” he said.

The Paramount Chief further called for the expansion of the Aiyinasi Market and urged the President to include the Ellembelle District in the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme by addressing the poor road network in the area.