Some participants at the event
The Petroleum Commission has awarded over $3.6 billion worth of contracts to Indigenous Ghanaian Companies (IGCs).
Director, Local Content of the Petroleum Commission, Kwaku Boateng, revealed that about $8.7 billion worth of contracts have been awarded to foreign companies while $6.3 billion went into Joint Ventures (JVs).
He made the revelation at the maiden edition of Ghana Energy Week Held in Takoradi and organised by Topside Energy in collaboration with the Western Regional Coordinating Council.
Mr. Boateng spoke on the topic “Building value and promoting investment through local content.”
He said over 10,000 direct jobs have been created with the local content development in the petroleum upstream activities in the country.
Key investments in-country, he mentioned, included cementing units, waste management or thermal absorption plants, fabrication, hydraulic and engineering facilities, aviation hangars, bolts and nut manufacturing, coating plants, chemical blending and establishment of training centres for specialised trades.
Mr. Boateng stressed that the sustainable management of the oil resources was key to the socio-economic development of the country and her citizenry.
Executive Director of Topside Energy, Ing. Jedidiah Aryeepah, said the economic structure and dynamics of the Western Region have evolved over the last decade as a result of oil and gas activities in the area.
The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, noted that the country’s target of increasing renewable energy output to 10% of the energy mix by 2030, requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders.
“The transformation of Ghana’s energy system, is one of the most significant undertakings in our nation’s history,” he noted.
Mr. Darko-Mensah pointed out that Ghana, has vast energy needs and must surely reach its potential.
“The good news is that we have made genuine progress in addressing climate change and taking significant steps towards de-carbonization,” he said.
As part of the programme, 40 organizations were awarded by Topside Energy for their commitment and development to the growth of the industry.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi