Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (MP) has called on African Oil and Gas decision-makers to make a conscious effort at value addition in the oil and gas value chain as it is one of the ways by which respective citizens can fully benefit from the hydrocarbon potential.
He made this call when he addressed government officials of various African countries and investors at the Country Spotlight session, putting the spotlight on Ghana at the 2nd African Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa.
Dr Prempeh indicated that a deliberate investment in infrastructure is also a key plank for accelerated growth as this is bound to catalyze interest in further exploration.
He further asked for the linkages between upstream and downstream to be harnessed on the continent to ensure value maximisation and retention.
“This could be done by expanding the refining capacity and storage for crude oil and petroleum products and providing the appropriate infrastructure for petrochemical production and transportation of gas and petroleum products will provide these linkages,” he said.
He in this regard alluded to serious efforts at revamping the nation’s refinery to support our economic growth.
Dr Prempeh used the opportunity to reiterate Ghana’s quest for massive investment in its upstream petroleum space and thus, asked investors and governments to partner with the energy sector for continued development.
He also reechoed the need for investment in Ghana’s downstream petroleum space with an emphasis on the Petroleum Hub agenda.
Speaking as a panelist on a Ministerial panel, on the theme “From Cape Town to Cairo: A common African Voice for COP27” the Manhyia South Member of Parliament reaffirmed his strong position on Ghana leveraging on its hydrocarbon resources for economic growth backed by the national energy transition blueprint.
“We are transiting on our terms, because of our peculiar circumstances as a continent” he posited. Dr Prempeh called for a united voice at the upcoming COP27 in Egypt, Cairo.
The Energy Minister expressed delight noting that Africa continues to deepen its stance on energy transition, not being against the transition in principle but asking for a just and equitable one.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
