Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah since assuming office in April 2022, has been at the forefront of leading the management and staff of GNPC to position the country to reap maximum benefits from oil and gas resources.
Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah, who until his appointment as CEO of GNPC, was the Deputy CEO, took over the top job at GNPC from Dr. K.K. Sarpong. Dr. Sarpong’s insightful decision to assign Mr. Danquah as the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Technical Operations in 2020 undoubtedly helped pivot him to the top spot, due to his diligent execution of GNPC’s core operations.
In the face of recent unwarranted and unsubstantiated social media and mainstream media attacks on him, with individuals going to the extent of deceitfully impersonating GNPC employees, Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah has emerged as a beacon of leadership, driving the corporation and Ghana’s oil and gas sector towards unparalleled success.
Oil & Gas Sector
Danquah’s visionary leadership has been instrumental in accelerating oil and gas exploration in Ghana, with a view to establishing production and reducing the country’s dependence on crude oil imports.
His flagship project, the “Voltaian Basin” is expected to see a well drilled within the next couple of months. This would be the first time in Ghana’s modern oil era that GNPC would become an operator onshore. Already, GNPC is exploring the hydrocarbon prospectivity of the “Voltaian Basin” under a reconnaissance licence.
This exploration involves a mix of geophysical, geological, and geochemical techniques. When asked about the “Voltaian Basin” initiative, Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah said, “If Ghanaians are to benefit immensely from the onshore oil and gas resources, then we should be able to own it through hard work that translates to sweat equity. Unlike the offshore oil resources where Ghanaians have a minority share, the resources in the “Voltaian Basin” should be for Ghanaians and therefore done by Ghanaians”.
Under his stewardship, GNPC has been actively involved in numerous exploration activities, providing continuity and consistency to Ghana’s exploration efforts. His initiatives to attract the right international oil companies through enticing and astute direct negotiations are continuing to re-invigorate exploration.
CSR Impact
Through the GNPC Foundation, the corporation has designed and implemented tailored intervention programmes aimed at alleviating the environmental, social, and economic impact of its activities to benefit all Ghanaians, especially the underprivileged.
The “Skilled Artisans Project,” for example, has trained, equipped and empowered thousands of young people across the country with employable skills in over 25 vocations. Under his leadership, last year (2023) alone, hundreds of scholarships were awarded to needy but brilliant Ghanaian students pursuing undergraduate and post graduate programmes.
Currently, GNPC is sponsoring 200 medical doctors who are being trained in Cuba to augment the country’s patient to doctor ratio. There are numerous other activities undertaken by the GNPC Foundation that includes hundreds of infrastructure projects such as classroom blocks, dormitories, medical facilities, astro turfs and other recreational facilities.
Changes At GNPC
Within the GNPC workplace, Danquah has introduced unique changes which can be described as a paradigm shift.
The changes are said to be moving the corporation in the right direction and same has been expressed by employees in the various departments.
Interactions with some employees of GNPC about what they make of the work ethic of the CEO and changes he has introduced, revealed that his understanding of the industry was very impressive and was very diligent and committed to delivering the best for GNPC.
Recognitions
Under Danquah’s leadership, GNPC has not only thrived but also gained significant recognition.
He was honoured as the Best Chief Executive for the Upstream Petroleum Sector in Ghana by the Ghana CEOs Network.
Furthermore, Mr. Danquah was adjudged the winner of the Oil and Gas Industry Leadership Award for the year 2023 at the Africa Public Sector Conference and Awards.
Exemplary Leadership
As Ghana continues to harness its natural resources for the benefit of its citizens, Opoku Danquah stands as an exemplar of leadership and excellence. His unwavering dedication to advancing Ghana’s oil and gas sector while prioritising sustainability and inclusive growth serves as an inspiration to industry stakeholders and the populace alike.
In these challenging times, it is imperative to recognise and celebrate the transformative impact of visionary leaders like Opoku Danquah, whose contributions resonate far beyond the confines of boardrooms and oil rigs, shaping the future trajectory of Ghana’s prosperity and progress.
A Daily Guide Report