The paramount chiefs of Nzema in the Western region, have appealed to the good people of Nzema to rally behind the new Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) limited, Judith Adjobah Blay, to succeed.
They made this appeal at Maaha at Anokyi in the Ellembelle district on Thursday, March 27, 2025, where the new Acting CEO of Ghana National Gas Company and her Deputy Acting CEO, Dr Robert Kofi Lartey, paid a courtesy call on the chiefs and queen mothers of Nzema.
It will be recalled that President John Dramani Mahama appointed Judith Adjobah Blay as the acting CEO of Ghana National Gas Company some two weeks ago to reset the company for betterment of gas sector development in the country.
As an indigene of Nzema, the energy expert, Judith Adjobah Blay comes from Sanzule and Esiama respectively, in Ellembelle district.
On Wednesday, the CEO paid a courtesy call on the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, and the Western Regional House of Chiefs in Sekondi to introduce herself to the the house and outline the company’s vision to the traditional rulers.
She took the opportunity to pledge to complete phase two of the gas plant started by President John Mahama before leaving power in 2016, to create more jobs for the youth of Western Region and Ghana as a whole.
She also seized the opportunity to call on the Regional Minister and the chiefs to support her and her management to implement President John Mahama’s vision in the energy sector, especially concerning activities within Ghana National Gas Company.
Speaking at Maaha at Anokyi in Ellembelle District on Thursday, the Paramount Chief of Nsein Traditional Council, Awulae Agyefi Kwame II, commended President John Dramani Mahama for appointing their own daughter, Judith Adjobah Blay, as the Acting CEO of Ghana National Gas Company.
“As for me, I’m very very happy that finally, our Nzema daughter has been appointed as Acting Ghana Gas CEO, because during former President Akufo-Addo era, I appealed to him to appoint an Nzema as CEO but they didn’t mind me, so, I thank President John Mahama for thinking about we Nzemas.”
He pledged his total support for Judith Adjobah Blay to succeed and urged the sub chiefs and queen mothers to rally behind her.
Awulae Agyefi Kwame II also commended President John Mahama for appointing Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah as the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
He took the opportunity to appeal to NDC members and executives in Nzema to support the acting CEO of Ghana National Gas Company and eschew the tendency of engaging in what he termed as “Pull Him Down Syndrome.”
On his part, the Paramount Chief of Gwira Traditional Council, Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan, expressed appreciation to President John Mahama for appointing Judith Adjobah as the acting CEO of Ghana National Gas Company.
He stated that without any doubt, Judith Adjobah Blay truly deserves the appointment, considering her qualifications, years of experience, and pedigree in the energy space.
“Judith Adjobah Blay is our daughter and we know her very well. When she was at the Petroleum Commission, she respected we the chiefs and our queen mothers. She is a very hardworking woman, so, I’m very very happy for her appointment and I will support her to succeed,” he stated.
He called on her and the management of the company to think about the development of Nzema.
The Paramount Chief of Lower Axim Traditional Council, Awulae Attribukusu III, expressed worry about the conduct of the former CEO, Ben Asante, for denying so many Nzema youth opportunities to do their National Service in the company.
“We have seven traditional councils in Nzema and they only gave us two slots each, meanwhile they took 150 NSS personnel. Ghana Gas company is on our land and even internship, they don’t give it to our youth,” he expressed worry.
He, therefore, appealed to the new acting CEO of Ghana Gas company to think about the youth of Nzema.
He thanked President John Dramani Mahama for honoring his pledge by appointing their own.
He took the opportunity to urge all Nzemas to come to together to rally behind Judith Adjobah Blay to prove to the whole country that Nzemas have knowledgeable people and skilled people to support the country to develop.
The Lower Axim Paramount Chief further appealed to the Acting Deputy CEO of Ghana National Gas Company, Dr Robert Kofi Lartey, to support his CEO to succeed.
“We have given honorary citizen to Dr Kofi Lartey to be part of us in Nzema so we will call on Dr Lartey to support Judith Adjobah Blay to succeed,” he announced.
He appealed to them to put plans in place to pay farmers who were affected by the construction of the gas plant their compensations.
He also appealed to them to construct a valuable project in Nzema.
On her part, the Acting CEO of Ghana National Gas Company, Judith Adjobah Blay thanked President John Dramani Mahama for reposing trust in her to reset Ghana Gas company in line with his vision.
She also thanked the chiefs and queen mothers of Nzema for rallying behind her.
She promised to enhance the 24-Hour Economy in the company.
“I have come to Ghana Gas Company to implement President John Mahama’s vision, especially the resetting agenda and the 24-Hour Economy. In Ghana Gas Company, the 24-Hour Economy started long time ago because our engineers work 24 hours so now that I have come, I will enhance it, in line with President John Mahama’s vision,” she stated.
She further called on the chiefs and queen mothers to rally behind her to succeed and also pray for her.
Judith Adjobah Blay pledged to build the capacity of the youth in the area, especially brilliant but needy students, to benefit from the company.
She also pledged to be accountable to the good people of Nzema.
“I will re-structure the Community Affair Relations Department to relate well with the communities in Nzema. Every year, we will meet all Nzema chiefs and queen mothers and others and showcase what the company has done so that people will not say Ghana Gas Company has done nothing for Nzemas. I will not discriminate against Nzema East and Jomoro, we are all Nzemas so social development projects will be distributed evenly. The company is for the whole country and the country will benefit from my leadership,” she added.
Speaking to the media after the engagement, the Deputy Acting CEO of Ghana National Gas Company, Dr Robert Kofi Lartey, called on all Nzemas to support the new acting CEO and management of the company to succeed.
“We are calling on you people of Nzema to support the new acting CEO, please let us all be one and work together, more opportunities will be given to you the youth so let us remain calm and support the company,” he appealed.
Judith Adjobah Blay, together with her management, toured the Ghana Gas Company operational offices at AB Bokazo and the plant and also other facilities.
She was accompanied by the new Head of Corporate Communication (PRO), Richard Kirk Mensah, and some general managers of the company.
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