Takoradi: Mr. Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, has called upon stakeholders in Ghana’s petroleum industry to ensure that the benefits derived from the sector translate into tangible improvements in local communities. He emphasized the importance of gatherings such as the Local Content Conference Exhibition (LCCE), organized annually by the Petroleum Commission, as crucial platforms for evaluating and renewing commitments to inclusive local content and sustainable regional growth.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Nelson highlighted the theme of this year’s conference, “Revitalising Ghana’s Petroleum Exploration and Production Sector: Driving Innovation and Redefining Local Content for a Competitive Energy Economy,” as an essential framework for national economic goals and regional development. He stressed that revitalizing exploration and production not only means more jobs and contracts for locals but also enhances opportunities for technical training and innovation.
The Western Region, hosting critical petroleum infrastructure and workforce, feels the direct impact of the sector’s success, reinforcing community strength and shared prosperity. Ghana’s Local Content and Local Participation Regulations, 2013 (L.I. 2204), aim to ensure that the benefits of petroleum resources reach local communities, fostering growth in catering, logistics, fabrication, construction, and environmental services.
Mr. Nelson advocated for broadening the scope of local content to include human capital development, research, and community empowerment. He urged industry partners to collaborate with academic institutions to promote innovation and skills transfer. Local content, he argued, should empower local businesses, strengthen institutions, and uplift communities directly affected by petroleum production.
The Western Region, bearing the environmental and social impacts of petroleum activities, should be seen as a partner in development. The Regional Coordinating Council, alongside the Petroleum Commission, plans to enhance community engagement and ensure that local communities are informed and supported through social investment programs. Collaborations with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and District Assemblies aim to monitor environmental compliance and uphold safety and sustainability standards.
Mr. Nelson encouraged companies operating in the Region to prioritize environmental protection, invest in community development, and maintain open communication with local authorities. He applauded the Petroleum Commission for institutionalizing the LCCE as a vital platform for dialogue and solution-sharing.
Highlighting Ghana’s journey from the discovery of the Jubilee Field in 2007 to the commissioning of the TEN and Sankofa-Gye Nyame projects, Mr. Nelson noted that the Western Region remains the epicenter of Ghana’s energy transformation. Engineer Austin Uzoka, Senior Advisor at the Nigerian Local Content and Monitoring Board, echoed the importance of local content as a catalyst for reducing capital flight and fostering a competitive supply chain system.
The two-day conference is expected to attract over 1,000 participants, including local and international stakeholders, oil companies, service providers, investors, and academia. It will focus on investment, innovation, local content policy reforms, and discussions on various aspects of the industry, with an accompanying exhibition.