NPA Chief Executive Leads High-Level Dialogue on Ghana’s Energy Future at GhIPCon 2026

The 7th Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GHIPCON 2026) has officially opened in Accra, bringing together policymakers, regulators, investors, development partners and industry leaders to discuss strategies for strengthening Ghana's downstream petroleum sector and positioning the country as a regional energy hub.

The three-day conference, held at the Palms Convention Centre on Thursday, July 16, attracted one of its largest gatherings to date, with participants from Ghana and across the international energy industry engaging in discussions on energy security, investment, regulatory reforms and sustainable growth.

Jointly organised by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) and the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, the conference seeks to shape the future of Ghana's petroleum industry through policy dialogue, innovation and strategic partnerships.

Delivering the welcome address, the Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo Esq., described GHIPCON as more than an annual industry gathering, saying it has become an important platform for driving policy reforms, encouraging innovation and attracting investment into Ghana's downstream petroleum sector.

He noted that the global energy landscape is undergoing significant transformation due to geopolitical tensions, climate change concerns and shifting energy markets, making collaboration between governments, regulators and private sector players more critical than ever.

According to Mr Tameklo, Ghana must continue building a resilient and competitive petroleum industry capable of supporting national development while responding to global energy challenges.

He reaffirmed the NPA's commitment to maintaining a transparent, efficient and technology-driven regulatory environment that promotes fair competition, safeguards consumers and boosts investor confidence.

The NPA, he said, remains focused on:

• Ensuring fuel quality across the country;
• Maintaining reliable petroleum product supply;
• Strengthening regulatory excellence;
• Leveraging technology to improve industry oversight; and
• Positioning Ghana as a leading petroleum hub in the West African sub-region.

The Special Guest of Honour, Minister for Energy and Green Transition Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, reaffirmed the government's commitment to expanding Ghana's petroleum sector through increased exploration, production and domestic refining.

According to the minister, government is implementing an aggressive strategy aimed at increasing crude oil and natural gas production through new discoveries while simultaneously boosting local refining capacity.

He disclosed that both the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Sentuo Oil Refinery have committed to refining up to one million barrels of Ghana's crude oil each.

The initiative, he explained, is expected to:

• Increase value addition to Ghana's crude oil;
• Expand domestic gas supply;
• Reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum products;
• Improve national energy security; and
• Support industrial growth.

Dr Jinapor said strengthening local refining capacity forms part of government's broader vision of creating a more self-reliant and resilient energy sector.

The conference also provided industry stakeholders with an opportunity to outline reforms needed to attract greater investment into Ghana's petroleum industry.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), Dr Patrick Kwaku Ofori, stressed that policy consistency, transparency and regulatory predictability remain essential for attracting long-term investment.

He argued that investors require a stable policy environment that provides confidence for major capital investments in the petroleum sector.

Similarly, COMAC Chief Executive Officer Dr Riverson Oppong called for sustained investment in critical petroleum infrastructure.

According to him, Ghana should prioritise investments in:

• Modern petroleum storage facilities;
• Digital technologies;
• Local refinery expansion;
• Transportation infrastructure; and
• Road networks connecting ports, depots and major markets.

He said strengthening these areas would improve operational efficiency, enhance supply chain resilience and support Ghana's ambition of becoming a regional petroleum distribution hub.

The conference will continue over the next two days with technical presentations, policy discussions, business networking sessions and stakeholder engagements focusing on the future of Ghana's downstream petroleum industry.

The event will conclude with the GHIPCON Downstream Awards and Gala Night, where institutions and individuals will be honoured for outstanding contributions to innovation, regulatory compliance and excellence within Ghana's petroleum sector.

Organisers say the conference remains an important platform for fostering collaboration between government and industry while driving investment and innovation to secure the future of Ghana's energy sector.