Energy Minister Pushes for Greater Investment in Ghana’s Upstream Petroleum Sector

Accra: The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has called for increased investment in Ghana's upstream petroleum sector as the country seeks to strengthen its energy security, create jobs, and accelerate industrialization. Dr. Jinapor made the call in his opening remarks at the 2026 Africa Oil Week (AOW) in Accra, where he welcomed ministers, heads of delegation, industry leaders, investors, and development partners to Ghana. According to Ghana Web, Dr. Jinapor outlined a series of fiscal and regulatory reforms being pursued by the government to make Ghana's upstream petroleum sector more competitive, predictable, and attractive to investors. He emphasized that these reforms are designed to improve investor confidence, unlock new exploration and development opportunities, and create a more responsive investment environment capable of attracting the capital needed to develop Ghana's petroleum resources. Dr. Jinapor highlighted the importance of ensuring that attracting investme nt goes hand in hand with securing a fair and sustainable share of the value generated from Ghana's natural resources. He stated that the government's broader ambition is to move the country beyond the mere extraction of natural resources towards greater value creation and industrial development. The minister underscored the necessity for the petroleum sector to contribute meaningfully to job creation, industrialization, and long-term energy security. He urged participants at Africa Oil Week 2026 to ensure that discussions and engagements translate into concrete investments and partnerships capable of delivering tangible development outcomes for Ghana and the wider African continent. Dr. Jinapor stressed that AOW 2026 must translate dialogue into investment, investment into partnerships, and partnerships into tangible development for Ghana and Africa. Additionally, the minister emphasized the need for Africa's energy future to be shaped by ambition and pragmatism, with a strong focus on sustainable prosperi ty and improving the well-being of people across the continent.