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President of the Nzemamaanle Traditional Council and Awulae of Evalue-Gwira, Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan II, has assured the newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Gas Company Limited (Ghana Gas), Dr. Ben K. Asante, of the traditional outfits’ immense support and collaboration to ensure he is successful in his new office.

Speaking when the new CEO paid a courtesy call on the Gwirae Traditional Area last week, Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan II, Paramount Chief of the Evalue-Gwirae Traditional Council and President of the Nzemamaanle Traditional Council, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the new CEO for the visit.

He said the visit was an acknowledgement of the fact that Gwirae firmly stood as one of the few major communities hosting the Ghana Gas pipeline extension that stretches from Atuabo to Prestea, and from Atuabo to Aboadze.

He said as President of the Nzemamaanle Council, made up of seven paramountcies within the Nzema area, he could assure the Ghana Gas CEO that the other paramount chiefs were ready to render any form of assistance the new CEO would need to succeed in his vision and mission in his new office.

He said the earlier preference of the Nzemamaanle Traditional Council was largely based on the fact that as traditional leaders, the Council had a duty to be seen and heard campaigning for equally-educated indigenes of the area when a vacancy such as that of Ghana Gas becomes available.  

“It was not out of hatred for you, or our lack of appreciation of your immense expertise, knowledge and contribution to the success of Ghana’s premier gas project. We have many problems as you well know and usually, most top executives tend to help places they belong. It is obvious that you are not an Nzema but we are hopeful that you will leave a legacy in Nzema like your predecessor Dr. Sipa Yankey assisted us in many ways so that your name will remain here from generation to generation”, he said.

Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan II explained that “Gwirae has more watchmen over your pipelines, so if there is any help being received by towns hosting any gas pipeline, we must also be numbered as part of the beneficiaries so that we can be motivated to continue to keep watch over the pipelines. Compensation for the farmers have been paid but what about us, the landlords. We should also be treated well”.

He admitted that Ghana Gas had been helpful to Gwirae, completing the bridge that links Gwirae to Sefwi Wiawso. “Like Oliver Twist, however, we’d keep asking for more and for our fair share of your community programmes”.

Awulae Tu-Agyan II noted that Atuabo was not the only place where the gas was situated, adding that the towns where the pipes laid, including Gwirae, also mattered and needed attention and aid.

“People believe we at Nzema here have not been to school but that is a wrong assertion. We have really educated our children and some of them have had oil and gas training abroad so when the need arises at Ghana Gas to employ workers, we pray you to consider our youth. This, when done, will help curb the unemployment rate amongst our people”, he pleaded.

He called on the new CEO of Ghana Gas to use his office to come to their aid by helping them in whichever capacity to put up a hostel facility at the Senior High School at Gwirae and to also assist them in raising a healthcare facility.

The CEO of Ghana Gas, Dr. Ben Asante, expressed gratitude to Awulae Tu-Agyan II and his elders for the warm reception they gave him and promised that he was ready and willing to give any form of help in his capacity to Gwirae and its people, adding that he had the town on his heart.

“I am not a politician so I will not make promises that I will not be able to deliver like some do. I am, however, assuring you that I will do whatever I can to help you in solving the two problems which are the hostel and health facilities you have mentioned”, he indicated.

He further pleaded with the chiefs and people of Gwirae and the other six paramount chiefs of the Nzemamaanle Traditional Council to collaborate with him in promoting good relationship between the Nzema people and Ghana Gas.

Dr. Ben Asante came to the Ghana Gas job with over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.

Until recently, Dr. Ben Asante was the Technical Director of Ghana’s first Gas Infrastructure project and also developed the gas infrastructure Master Plan for Ghana in 2008. He has also served as a consultant to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and provided engineering services, project management and technical support for various projects across the world including UAE, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, Russia, Thailand and USA.