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An operational headquarters of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has been inaugurated in Takoradi.
The multimillion-dollar environmentally edifice to be known as the GNPC Energy House comes with smart and energy saving features with enough office spaces to coordinate its activities and host oil and gas industry players and related corporate entities.
The seven-storey office complex with a basement, is equipped with Smart Office Management Systems and various high-technology specifications.
It also has a 300-seater auditorium, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, and a business centre on the ground floor, and is designed to achieve energy efficiency and meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo inaugurated the smart building at a ceremony in Takoradi on Thursday and described the venture as a sign of commitment to transform the national oil company into a world-class exploration and production company.
The President said the time had come for the transformation of GNPC into a world-class national oil company capable of competing at the global stage. “This is a very happy day for the Western Region, for Mother Ghana and, indeed, for me personally,” President Akufo-Addo declared.
“The realisation of this promise is proof of my government’s determination to ensure that the development and benefits of Ghana’s natural resources are felt by the people whose land and sea contribute so significantly to the nation’s wealth,” he added.
The President said as the country had joined the league of oil and gas producers, it was important to reflect on the challenges that came with activities of the extractive industry.
He said it was undeniable that the exploitation of oil and gas resources had brought a lot of financial benefits to the country, “we must however remain mindful of the environmental challenges that come with it”.
“Our administration is dedicated to ensuring that the activities of GNPC and other industry players to adhere high standards of environmental protection and social responsibility,” President Akufo-Addo stressed.
He said the current generation owed it to future generations to manage resources sustainably to ensure that the benefits “we enjoy today did not come at the expense of our environment, communities and the future generations.”
President Akufo-Addo urged collaboration among the upstream oil and gas industry players, communities, environmental groups and regulatory bodies by acceding to best practices.
Amid challenges the construction of the edifice faced, President Akufo-Addo extended gratitude to all who played a part in bringing the project to fruition, including the Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, the Western Regional House of Chiefs, and the Regional Lands Commission.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GNPC, Joseph Dadzie, recounted the remarkable milestones and the progress made and promised that the Corporation would work hard to become an independent, world-class oil company.
“Today, we are here in fulfillment of President Akufo-Addo’s visionary pledge to establish GNPC’s operations in the Western Region, “GNPC Energy House,” he recounted.
Mr Dadzie said although recent data pointed to dwindling oil production levels from offshore oil operations, “it is my firm belief that establishing our operational presence in the Western Region would further strengthen our position as Ghana’s foremost player in the oil and gas sector.”
