Business News of 2026-10-15
Ghana Gas warns fisherfolk against damaging pipeline marker buoys
The Ghana National Gas Company (Ghana Gas) has warned fisherfolk in coastal communities in the Western Region against tampering with or damaging special marker buoys installed along its offshore gas pipeline, describing such acts as a threat to human life, national energy security and the environment.
The warning was issued during a stakeholder sensitisation exercise held at the AYA Community Centre in Ampain in the Ellembelle District on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
The exercise brought together fisherfolk from six coastal districts and municipalities in the Western Region: Jomoro, Ellembelle, Nzema East, Ahanta West, Shama and the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly.
The sensitisation programme forms part of Ghana Gas’ ongoing community engagement efforts to protect its critical offshore infrastructure, which transports processed gas from the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant for power generation and industrial use across the country.
Officials explained that the special marker buoys, installed at significant cost to the company, are strategically positioned at sea to indicate the exact route of the offshore pipeline.
The buoys serve as warning signs to fishing vessels and other sea users to stay clear of the restricted zone to prevent anchor dragging, trawling and accidental impacts that could rupture the pipeline.
They cautioned that damage to the buoys or the pipeline itself could result in gas leaks, fires, loss of lives at sea, nationwide power supply disruptions and severe environmental pollution.
During an open forum, some participants called for tougher penalties for anyone found damaging the buoys, arguing that existing deterrents were not strong enough to stop the practice.
One participant appealed to Ghana Gas to recruit local fisherfolk to support the Ghana Navy and Marine Police in conducting regular surveillance of the buoys.
He noted that local fisherfolk, who work at sea daily, were better positioned to monitor the area and identify unfamiliar individuals who might attempt to tamper with the installations.
Another fisherfolk, speaking in Twi, commended the company for its significant investment and sustained stakeholder engagement on pipeline management.
“You [Ghana Gas] have spent a lot of money. You have done a lot of stakeholder engagement on the pipeline management. Thank you very much,” he said.
The fisherfolk pledged their support for Ghana Gas in protecting the buoys and promised to intensify education among their colleagues at various landing beaches on the need to stay away from the pipeline corridor.
Speaking to Daniel Kaku after the programme, Ghana Gas Senior Manager for Community Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), John Kofi Fayemi, expressed gratitude to the fisherfolk for accepting the invitation and actively participating in the exercise.
He pledged to forward the concerns raised, including calls for tougher penalties for offenders and the proposal to recruit local fisherfolk to assist the Ghana Navy and Marine Police in protecting the buoys, to management for consideration.
Fayemi also highlighted some of the projects the company had undertaken in the Western Region and other parts of Ghana as part of its corporate social responsibility commitments to host communities.
He reiterated the company’s commitment to continued engagement with fisherfolk and other stakeholders to protect the special marker buoys.
He assured the coastal communities that Ghana Gas valued their partnership and would continue working with them to safeguard the pipeline, which he described as a critical national asset.
Participants said the engagement had strengthened trust between Ghana Gas and the fishing communities, which now viewed themselves as partners in protecting the offshore infrastructure.
