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Energy Minister Hon Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has assured Ghanaians that government has put in place enough measures to ensure that subsidies and other social interventions from government reach its targeted group. He made this call during the swearing in ceremony of the newly constituted board of the National Petroleum Authority. Hon. Buah intimated that Governments over the years have introduced subsidies on energy services including petroleum products. But unfortunately, these subsides do not get to the targeted group � the poor and the vulnerable- who mostly live in rural areas. The Hon. Minister therefore indicated that, the government has decided to gradually remove these subsidies and introduce other social interventions that will directly impact positively on the lives of the poor in our society. One of such interventions, he said, is the removal of subsidies from a social product like kerosene. Government is using resources from this policy to buy and distribute solar lamps that will provide the beneficiaries both quality lightening and healthier environment. Hon Minister further remarked that his Ministry�s focus is to expand the energy sector and create opportunities for Ghanaian businesses. He therefore urged the Board Members to strategize and ensure that there is availability of petroleum products �especially in very remote places of the country�. The Hon. Minister also entreated the Board Members to tackle the issue of adulteration of petroleum products and also ensure safety especially in the downstream sector, adding, �Safety is at the core of the work the downstream sector does and it is important that measures are put in place to address that�. Chairman of the NPA Board, Mr Ralph Roland in his statement thanked the President for the trust reposed in them. He promised on behalf of the Board to develop policy guidelines that will ensure that the petroleum downstream sector is regulated effectively and efficiently. He also indicated that the board will work closely with the Ministry to ensure that Government�s overall vision for the downstream sector is realized. Other members of the Board include Mr Moses Asaga, Dr. Eric Graham, Mr Richard Amparbeng, Mr Bernard Allotey-Jacobsm Mr Kwasi Tumi, Ms Clothilde Agbenetor, Mr David Adom and Mr Suleman Koney.