The Chairman of Parliament’s Energy Committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, has appealed to government to urgently grant financial clearance to the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company Limited (GCMCL) to enable it scale up production and meet growing demand.
The call was made during a working visit by the Committee to the company in Accra on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, as part of its oversight responsibility of agencies under its purview.
Mr. Bedzrah noted that the Committee’s visit forms part of a broader exercise to assess the performance and operational challenges of energy sector institutions.
“We started visiting the agencies under our Committee, and today we are at Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company Limited. The last time we met them in 2025, this company had run down and was in financial distress. Our expectation was that they would revive it,” he said.
He expressed satisfaction with the turnaround of the company, stating that production has resumed and confidence restored.
“Today, I’m glad to say that Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company, which was not functioning a few years ago, is now actively producing. They’ve done a lot of things that give us confidence that this company has come back to stay,” he added.
Commendation for Management and Government Support
The Committee Chairman commended the management and staff of the company for the recovery efforts, as well as the Minister for Energy and Green Transition for supporting the retooling process.
Mr Bedzrah who is also the Member of Parliament for Ho West said according to briefings the committee had, the company has received about $6 million from the LPG Fund to upgrade equipment and improve operations.
According to him, the intervention is expected to position the company to compete more effectively, including tapping into export opportunities within the West African sub-region.
Production Growth and Market Recovery
Mr. Bedzrah observed that after a period of inactivity, the company has regained approximately 30 percent of the market share in cylinder manufacturing and recycling.
He expressed optimism that with continued support, the company could expand its market presence further.
However, he cautioned that production growth could be constrained if urgent financial bottlenecks are not addressed.
Call for Commitment Authorisation
A major challenge identified by the Committee is the lack of commitment authorisation, also referred to as financial clearance, from the Ministry of Finance.
Mr. Bedzrah explained that the absence of this approval is preventing the company from procuring essential raw materials despite having confirmed orders.
“We are in the second quarter, and they have not received their commitment authorisation. This is worrying because they have orders to meet, including commitments to the National Petroleum Authority,” he stated.
He emphasised that GCMCL is a self-financing entity and does not rely on government subvention, making the delay in authorisation particularly concerning.
“If we give them that commitment certificate, they will procure materials and continue production. This is a self-income-generating institution,” he stressed.
The Committee, he said, will formally write to the Minister for Finance to expedite action on the approval.
Expansion Plans and Investment Opportunities
The Committee also noted plans by management to expand operations, including the establishment of a new factory in the Ashanti Region to serve the middle and northern parts of the country.
Mr. Bedzrah indicated that while land acquisition processes are ongoing, significant capital investment—estimated at over $30 million—would be required to fully acquire the land.
He therefore encouraged private sector participation, describing the company as a viable investment opportunity.
Strategic Role in Energy Security
Mr. Bedzrah underscored the importance of the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company in promoting the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a cleaner energy source.
He noted that strengthening the company’s operations would contribute to reducing reliance on charcoal and firewood, thereby supporting national energy transition and environmental sustainability goals.
“This is one of our key energy security institutions. Supporting it will help expand LPG usage and reduce environmental degradation,” he said.
The Energy Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the company through its oversight role to ensure it operates efficiently and contributes meaningfully to Ghana’s energy sector.
By: Christian Kpesese
