<<Print>>

A Deputy Minister for Energy, Joseph Cudjoe has disclosed that government is planning to develop Sekondi-Takoradi and in general Western Region into a modern petroleum production city.

“You will notice that when you mention, U.S for oil and gas industry, there is a city you can point to, example Houston. You know that they have consciously developed that enclave for those activities. If you think of UK and Scotland, you can mention a city, Aberdeen. That is the way it works,” he said.

Mr. Joseph Cudjoe who is part of a mission was speaking to journalists at the opening of the Offshore North Sea (ONS) Conference in Stavanger, Norway.

He argued that such a unique identification will help attract investors and drive the needed funds into the region.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission(PC), Egbert Faibille Junior also indicated that the commission is creating a platform for local indigenous companies to partner with international firms to expand Ghana’s petroleum upstream sector.

The move, according to him, will also help Ghanaian companies to enter into joint venture deals with international companies to meet the requirements needed for foreign companies to operate in Ghana.

He explained that the aim of the commission is to expose Ghana’s growing oil sector to multinational companies to collaborate with indigenous Ghanaian companies to create jobs.

“We at the Petroleum Commission have organized this trade mission on the back of the ongoing ONS conference which has thousands of delegates from all over the world attending. Our aim is to ensure that each and every one of you the Ghanaian companies that have been selected to come along on this trade mission to get the opportunity to leverage and build the needed synergies and attract the needed necessary investment into Ghana’s upstream,” he explained.

He pointed out that, the collaboration will also allow local companies assess the needs of international companies on specific needs that are required for joint venture.

Mr. Faibille recalled several complaints from international oil and gas companies that have bemoaned the low capacity of some local companies in meeting international standards.

He was of the view that exposing such local companies to the international world at the early stages of deliberation will equip them on what to look out for.

“At the Petroleum Commission, I have been inundated with too many calls; too many request, and indeed too many complaints about lack of contracts in the upstream sector. What we seek to do with this trade mission is to bring Ghanaian companies to such a platform, and at least hold your hand and introduce you to companies that matter, companies that are looking for businesses in Ghana,” he stressed.

The Petroleum Commission is collaborating with Norwegian Energy Partners (Norwep) to organise the trade mission that is expected to serve as an attraction to foreign investment, networking for business enterprises and for technology and skills transfer.

The Petroleum Commission, Ghana, is leading 40 Ghanaian companies to Stavanger, Norway, one of the world’s largest exporters of oil, to explore oil and gas production opportunities in the upstream sector to help boost Ghana’s sector.

The Commission in June organised the first trade mission to Aberdeen Scotland, which officials say had started yielding some follow-ups by investors in that country.

The Petroleum Commission  was invited by Aker Energy and the Norwegian Energy Partners.