The government is committed to expanding the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) nationwide to improve household safety and ensure that consumers have access to safe and properly inspected liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, has said.
He said the model, which is currently operating in Accra, Kumasi,Tema and parts of the northern region, would be extended to other parts of the country, with particular attention to rural and low-income communities.
This was contained in a speech read on his behalf by the Director of Petroleum at the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Mark Prempeh at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Consumer Week Celebration 2026 on November 5, at Kasoa in the Central Region.
He explained that under the CRM, consumers exchange their empty LPG cylinders for safely filled and inspected ones at designated points, while defective cylinders are removed from circulation.
He said the policy was necessary to address safety concerns associated with the use of faulty cylinders in households, citing findings by the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company that nearly 30 per cent of cylinders presented for refurbishment were defective.
“Those cylinders were sitting in people's homes,” he stressed, highlighting the potential danger posed by defective cylinders to households.
The Minister said government would expand the programme through sustained public education while taking into account existing investments in refilling stations, as well as issues of accessibility and affordability.
“We will expand it with sustained public education, with respect for existing investments in refilling stations, and with attention to access and affordability, so that no rural or low-income household is left behind,” he said.
He emphasised that the expansion of the model formed part of government's broader commitment to strengthening safety and consumer protection in the downstream petroleum sector.
He said consumer confidence must be supported by effective regulation and consistent enforcement, adding that the NPA's inspections, monitoring and quality assurance activities, in collaboration with the Ghana Standards Authority and security agencies, were essential to preventing adulteration, inaccurate fuel dispensing and other illegal petroleum activities.
The Minister urged LPG users to inspect their cylinders, hoses and regulators regularly, avoid damaged or unmarked cylinders and ensure that their kitchens were well ventilated.
He also called on consumers to close cylinder valves after use and practise safe handling of petroleum products, warning that increased access to LPG must go hand in hand with safety.
“Growth without safety is not progress,” he said, reaffirming government's commitment to expanding cleaner cooking and strengthening LPG distribution as part of Ghana's green transition.
Speaking at the event, NPA Boss, Godwin Tameklo announced efforts to strengthen consumer protection in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector through the establishment of regional consumer offices and the introduction of new complaints procedure guidelines for petroleum service providers.
He saaid under the guidelines, complaints must be acknowledged promptly and resolved within 30 days. Consumers who remain dissatisfied with the outcome can refer their cases directly to the NPA for further consideration.
According to him, the guidelines, together with the Authority’s strengthened regional presence, would improve accountability, ensure timely resolution of consumer concerns and make regulatory services more accessible.
“A consumer should not have to travel to Accra simply to report a problem with a petroleum product or service,” he said, urging consumers to take advantage of the regional offices to seek assistance.
The event, held on the theme, “Safe Downstream, Confident Consumers,” attracted a large gathering of schoolchildren, teachers, market women, community leaders and residents, featuring speeches, solidarity messages, cultural performances and demonstrations on petroleum consumer safety.
