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Deputy Minister of Energy and Petroleum John Abdulai Jinapor has called on Ghanaians to prioritize the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for domestic purpose because its benefits on humans and the environment surpasses other conventional fuels such as firewood and charcoal. He said government�s commitment to make increase LPG usage across the country influenced the launch of the �Rural LPG Promotion Program� to distribute 50,000 cook stoves and cylinders free of charge in selected low access rural areas which has so far distributed over 13,000 pieces of 6kg LPG cylinders with cook stoves and accessories. Speaking to consumers at this year�s consumer week celebration held at the Obra spot, Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra on the theme �LPG - A friend not an enemy�, the Deputy Minister said government is making efforts to increase access and consumption of LPG. He said the objective of this year�s program is to discourage the use of wood and charcoal for domestic purposes and alternatively use LPG to minimize and also eradicate the lethal effects that the continuous burning of firewood has on our health and the environment. Touching on the benefits of LPG, the Hon Jinapor said LPG comes with numerous benefits when used safely than charcoal and firewood. �LPG releases less harmful particles into the air than other domestic fuels which make it less harmful to our environment and health and also LPG is cheaper, reliable and easily transportable and can be used for a wide range of purposes�. He stated. The Deputy Minister further urged consumers to adhere to safety practices such as turning off the cylinder valve to avoid leakage after use whiles ensuring that there�s adequate ventilation when using LPG and also ensure that gas cylinders are not kept or stored in a congested place, in the use of LPG for domestic purposes. He also commended the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) for organizing such an educative program and urged them to sustain it to help educate consumers on the safety use of LPG and the benefits of LPG as an alternative fuel to firewood and charcoal. Mr Moses Asaga, Chief Executive of NPA on his part indicated the need for all to observe safety rules when using LPG from bulk storage haulage, retailing and domestic handling to ensure that gas explosion incidents were reduced to the barest minimum. Dr Opoku Ware Ampomah, Director of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Center was also present at the consumer week celebration to tell Ghanaians the benefits of LPG when proper safety measures are adhered to whiles elaborating on the dangers and risks if basic safety measures are ignored. He said his outfit admits over 300 patients over burns accident annually, adding, �over 80% of burns related accidents are preventable�. Kwaku Agyemang Duah, Coordinator for Association of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) also called on the put in place measure to check that importers of gas cylinders and its accessories import the right equipments to avoid frequent fire outbreaks.