Two weeks ago (11-17 June), about 100 delegates representing 50 companies operating in Ghana’s upstream industry participated in the maiden Ghana Oil and Gas Trade Mission to Aberdeen, Scotland. The trade mission, which was the biggest trade delegation from Africa to Scotland in recent times, included Deputy Energy Minister Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Petroleum Commission Czar Egbert Faibille Jnr., other high-profile personalities, representatives of the Ghanaian companies and a Ghanaian media team. The week-long event was aimed at forming strategic business links with Scottish companies interested in supporting Ghana’s oil and gas economy, and its emerging status as the energy frontier of West Africa. The visit was supported by the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) and Scottish Development International (SDI), the overseas trade arm of Scottish Enterprise.
I must commend the government and organisers of the trade mission for taking such a proactive step in positioning indigenous Ghanaian companies to adequately prepare to bid for and win contracts in the upstream petroleum industry through the nurturing of partnerships with foreign companies. Linking Ghanaian companies to major international exploration and production, and supply chain companies within a mutually collaborative framework remain one of the surest ways to attaining the local content and participation objectives. After 8-years of oil and gas production, it is imperative for us to work to address structural factors such as the limited industrial and low technical and financial capacity of indigenous firms, etc., constraining the development of Ghana’s supply chain. This will be the catalyst to capturing the top tier value-added services such as front-end engineering design (FEED), well-drilling services and fabrication and construction among others. Ghana’s Petroleum Local Content and Local Participation Regulations, 2013 (LI 2204) proposes a multi-factor approach to local content namely the direct employment and personnel training via apprenticeship schemes and graduate training programmes, procurement of goods and services (e.g. financial and legal services), in-country production of materials, and technology transfer (research and development).
Media Reports
1. Aberdeen to play ‘vital part’ in Ghana’s ‘oil boom’:https://www.energyvoice.com/…/aberdeen-to-play-vital-part-…/
2. Ghana remains an important gateway to West Africa – Paul Lewis:https://www.graphic.com.gh/…/ghana-remains-an-important-gat…
3. Ghana’s oil and gas trade mission opens in Aberdeen:https://www.graphic.com.gh/…/ghana-s-oil-and-gas-trade-miss…
4. Petroleum Commission Engages International Oil and Gas Training Academy: https://www.modernghana.com/…/petroleum-commission-engages-…
5. Ghana to set-up National Petroleum Training Institute:https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/…/ghana-to-set-up-nation…/
6. Ghana to learn decommissioning from Scottish Forth Ports:https://www.ghanaweb.com/…/Ghana-to-learn-decommissioning-f…
7. Petroleum Commission meets Aberdeen Drilling International:https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/…/petroleum-commission-m…/
8. Ghana’s Economic Stability Attracts Scottish Investors To Oil Industry:https://www.modernghana.com/…/ghanas-economic-stability-att…
9. Petroleum Commission makes case for Ghanaian oil in Aberdeen:https://www.graphic.com.gh/…/petroleum-c-ssion-makes-case-f…
10. Ghana Explores Strategic Partnerships In Oil And Gas:http://www.ghananewsagency.org/…/ghana-explores-strategic-p…
Civic Reception by Aberdeen City Council for the Ghana Delegation.
Photo Credit: Norman Adams/Aberdeen City Council
