Ghana loses $100 million to gas flaring annually – ActionAid

Dorcas Agambila

30 April 2025 04:47 PM

Ghana is reportedly losing around US$100 million worth of natural gas each year due to gas flaring in its oil and gas sector, according to the Country Director of ActionAid Ghana, Mr John Nkaw.

Ghana loses $100 million to gas flaring annually – ActionAid

Ghana loses $100 million annually due to gas flaring in oil and gas sector
Gas flaring contributes to financial, environmental, and health-related consequences
Criticism over Ghana's failure to curb gas flaring amid increased petroleum revenues

Environmental and health hazards

Mr Nkaw highlighted the dangers posed by flaring, particularly its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, which adversely affect human health and the environment. He stressed that the practice is not only uneconomical but also incompatible with Ghana’s climate goals.

“It’s not just a financial loss. It’s a public health and environmental crisis. We are releasing pollutants into the air that threaten communities and ecosystems,” he noted.

Ghana loses $100 million to gas flaring annually – ActionAid ece-auto-gen

Call for policy reform and infrastructure investment

In light of the recently published 2024 PIAC Report, which outlines increased petroleum revenues, civil society organisations and energy experts are expressing growing concern over Ghana’s failure to curb gas flaring.

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Mr Nkaw criticised the lack of infrastructure and political will to commercialise associated gas, which could otherwise be utilised for domestic power generation, industrial purposes, or exported for additional revenue.

“The continued flaring undermines our ability to fully benefit from our natural resources. We must invest in infrastructure and enforce stricter regulations to manage and monetise our gas reserves,” he urged.

He concluded by appealing to policymakers to prioritise long-term investments and regulatory frameworks that would curb gas flaring, optimise the country's energy assets, and promote environmental sustainability.

Dorcas Agambila