Ghana advances energy sector through new exploration deals and policy discussions

During Africa Oil Week 2026 in Accra, Ghanaian leaders and energy stakeholders emphasized a pragmatic approach to the energy transition. President John Dramani Mahama advocated for a balanced energy mix, arguing that oil and gas must be utilized alongside renewable energy to combat energy poverty and support industrialization across Africa.

In a significant move for the upstream petroleum sector, the Government of Ghana, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Shell Overseas Holdings Limited, and Chevron Sub-Saharan Africa Ventures Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for exploration and production rights in the South Deepwater Tano Block. This agreement aims to expand Ghana’s resource base and secure future petroleum revenues.

Other key developments include the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) serving as a gold sponsor for the 7th Africa Public Sector Conference (APSCA 2026), focusing on energy governance and digital transformation. Additionally, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang called for increased African ownership of the energy sector through the development of local companies and technical institutions. Meanwhile, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) warned that GNPC must be more directly involved in power sector commercial decisions to protect its revenue interests.