Ghana Gas CEO warns galamseyers to stay off pipelines

The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Gas Company, Judith Adjobah Blay, has warned illegal miners to stay away from the company's gas pipeline infrastructure, saying any damage could affect power generation and cause nationwide outages.

She gave the warning at the Nzema Manle Queen Mothers Conference 2026, held in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region over the weekend, under the theme: "The role of Queen Mothers in the development of Nzema Manle".

Judith Blay said the company's pipelines were being intruded upon by illegal mining and farming activities.

"Our pipelines are being intruded, sometimes by galamseyers and sometimes by farmers," she said.

She said Ghana Gas operates over 400 kilometres of high-pressure gas pipeline network, which is a critical national asset that must be protected.

The CEO disclosed that the company has recruited indigenes to help man the pipelines but urged the Queen Mothers to join the company's community sensitization efforts.

She said the company would mark its Right-of-Way of 17.5 metres on each side, making 35 metres in total, in line with global pipeline standards, and mark it as a danger zone.

"We are going to mark them, 17.5 metres on each side making 35 metres and that's the standard for all pipelines right-of-ways in the world. So we are going to do that and then once we do that and mark them yellow and probably put some stools on there to really identify with people, say that this is a danger zone," she said.

She emphasized that any damage to the high-pressure pipelines could be disastrous for entire communities and for the country.

"Anything that happens is going to be very disastrous, not for the perpetrators alone, but for the entire community. And if anything happens to the pipelines, it will affect power generation in the country and it is going to cause power outage," she warned.

Reacting to the charge, the Acting President of the Nzemanle Queen Mothers Association, Awulae Hemah Adalakyie II, Queen Mother of Lower Town Axim and Nsein Traditional Area, said the association would ensure community members are educated on the dangers.

She warned that any mistake or tampering could wipe out entire communities.

"I have to let them know that this is what is at hand. So they have to be very, very cautious because as our CEO said, if you are not cautious and the least mistake that happens is going to wipe the core of the community and nearby communities which we don't want," she said.

She urged residents to be vigilant and to inform all land users, including children, mothers and farmers, about the location of the pipelines.

"So I will urge everyone to be careful. We should tell our children, those that go to the farm, our mothers or whoever that is on the land, whether it is a registered land or not, please be cautious of the pipelines because it is a serious one," she stated.

She said in case of any explosion, the consequences would be very serious and the traditional authorities do not want to lose their people.

"In case it happens, it is going to be very, very serious, of which we don't want to lose our people," she added.

Speaking about the Association, Awulae Hemah Adalakyie II said it covers the whole of Nzemaland and is currently being revived after its activities declined about five years ago.

"For now we are just a few, but as I said, it used to be vibrant. So we are trying as much as possible to raise it up again like how it used to be five years ago," she said.

She said the association brings together all Queen Mothers in Nzemaland to champion development and the welfare of women and communities.