The Board Chairman of Genser Energy, Nana Otwasuom Osae Nyampong VI, has revealed a concerning trend of illegal mining activities taking place beneath newly installed gas pipelines in the Ashanti region.

According to him, the illegal miners digging in search of gold put both their lives and the integrity of the gas pipeline project at risk.

In an interview with Citi FM on Thursday, April 18, he highlighted the imminent danger posed by such actions.

He stressed that the presence of flammable gas combined with the excavation operations creates a highly hazardous environment, potentially leading to explosions.

Pointing to the urgency of the situation, the Genser Energy Board Chairman called for swift action to address the issue.

He urged local chiefs to play a proactive role in educating their communities about the risks associated with illegal mining activities beneath gas pipelines.

Nana Otwasuom Nyampong underscored the importance of prioritising safety above all else, cautioning residents against jeopardising their lives in the pursuit of uncertain gains.

He emphasised the need for collective efforts to deter illegal mining and ensure the protection of both human lives and critical infrastructure.

“Those on the right of way have begun prospecting for minerals along our gas pipelines, simply put galamseyers have begun digging under our pipeline to see if they can strike it rich overnight, it is a very dangerous enterprise because when you are digging, you are using some force and a little sparkle of fire may touch the gas and you will lose your life with the explosion that will happen.”

“We will appeal to the Chiefs who own these lands on the right of way to educate their citizenry that there is no gainsaying that you are going to look for gold and you may not come back home. You shouldn’t exchange your life for wealth which you may not even get.”

Genser Energy, a Ghanaian-owned independent power producer, has expressed profound gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the successful completion of a vital infrastructure project – a 110-kilometre natural gas pipeline.

This significant development is poised to fuel the 250-megawatt Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Plant (K1TPP) and upcoming plants like the 500MW AKSA and 330MW CENIT, marking a substantial leap forward in Ghana's energy landscape.

The gas transmission infrastructure, spanning from Prestea to Anwomaso, stands as a testament to the effective collaboration between the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and Genser Energy Ghana Limited.