Liquefied Petroleum Gas Utilisation in Ghana: a Comparative Study of Agona Nkwanta and Sekondi In the Western Region

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study examined LPG utilisation by conducting a comparative study between two distinct study areas, namely Agona Nkwanta and Sekondi in the Western Region of Ghana. It delved deeper into the stages of utilisation (i.e. adoption and sustained usage), challenges affecting them and determining factors to scale- up. The mixed method approach was employed with a descriptive research design. Questionnaires were administered to 379 households using simple random sampling and 6 people were interviewed as organisational facilitators using the homogenous purposive and convenience sampling. The quantitative data was then analysed with SPSS using the descriptive statistics and independent t-test, whilst the thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. The study revealed low levels of LPG adoption and sustained usage amidst high fuel stacking amongst the two study areas, with Sekondi having a much higher level of sustained usage than Agona Nkwanta. The most pressing challenges found in both study areas include: high cost of refilling gas cylinders, inadequate gas filling stations, fear associated with gas usage, lack of funds for the initial purchase of gas and its equipment, preference for biomass, and long distance of gas filling stations. It was also revealed that regulators and LPG Marketing Companies have a role to play in scaling up LPG utilization in terms of safety, education, work ethics and monitoring. Per the findings, the study concluded that the proposed Cylinder Recirculation Model will help provide solutions to most of the pressing challenges with LPG usage. The study recommends it be set in motion and Organisational Facilitators sit up in their roles towards LPG usage.