By Dino Mahtani

The promised start-up of the long delayed West Africa Gas Pipeline next year could finally mark a significant step forward for much needed power generation in the region. As long as it is not delayed again. The $600m project was first conceived in 1995 by the governments of Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Benin to supply abundant Nigerian gas to its three neighbours as an alternative and cheaper way of generating power. It is especially important for Ghana, one of the region’s better economies, which is reliant on hydroelectricity for 60 per cent of its power.