By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA
Takoradi, Oct. 27, GNA – Indigenous oil and gas companies have commended Dr Kwaku Boateng, Director of Economics and Local Content at the Petroleum Commission, for his contributions to Ghana’s local content drive in the petroleum sector.
He has been credited with strengthening local content implementation, promoting technology transfer and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements in the upstream petroleum industry.
His work within the Commission had focused on promoting Ghanaian participation, building the capacity of indigenous businesses and ensuring that local content policies translated into meaningful economic opportunities for Ghanaian companies.
Industry players who unanimously praised Dr. Boateng during a visit to the companies in Takoradi, underscored the importance of the Commission’s engagement with local businesses, particularly in helping them understand regulatory requirements, improve upon their operational capacity and position themselves to compete for contracts in the petroleum value chain.
Dr Boateng’s responsibilities placed him at the centre of efforts to connect local content policy with economic development, ensuring that Ghanaian companies had opportunities to expand their operations and acquired the expertise required to deliver specialised services.
The Petroleum Commission, which regulates Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry, is mandated to promote local participation and ensure compliance with the relevant petroleum laws and regulations.
The Petroleum (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2013 (L.I. 2204), as amended, provide the framework for increasing Ghanaian involvement in the industry.
Within this framework, Dr Boateng’s work had emphasised the need for indigenous companies to move beyond basic participation towards building strong, technically competent and financially sustainable businesses.
That would ensure that Ghanaian companies were not merely included in the supply chain but were equipped to undertake increasingly complex assignments, develop their workforce and compete effectively with international service providers.
Dr. Boateng’s portfolio included advancing local content initiatives that encouraged collaboration between Ghanaian businesses and international companies, with the objective of strengthening local technical capabilities and knowledge transfer.
For his part, Mr. Isaac Anokye of Seven Eleven Energy Services highlighted the importance of regulatory compliance and the development of human and capital capacity in strengthening indigenous participation.
“For companies operating in the upstream sector, compliance with applicable regulations is essential to maintaining credibility, securing business opportunities and meeting the standards expected by petroleum operators”, he added.
Mr Frederick Hesse Tetteh of Harlequin praised the commission for its regulatory role, adding that it was driving more investment to the sector.
Madam Yaa Amoako Adu of Abave Inspection Ghana, acknowledged the Commission’s guidance in the company’s transition from a joint-venture arrangement to full Ghanaian ownership.
She showered praises on Dr. Boateng saying: “at first my target was mine ten percent profit on investment, but he guided me through and through the hard times to arrive at my current position”.
For Zeal Environmental, the company had created a special garden for Dr. Boateng where workers sit and reflect on opportunities in the industry.
The Petroleum Commission continues to exercise oversight of industry activities and promote adherence to the applicable local content requirements.
“For indigenous companies, understanding and complying with the regulations was not only a legal obligation but also an important step towards building confidence among operators, investors and international partners”.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter Mildred Siabi-Mensah