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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday inaugurated the new Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) operational headquarters, in Takoradi, Western Region.
Named the Energy House, the seven-storey building, located near Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) in Takoradi, includes an auditorium, a 300-seater conference room, offices for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a waiting room, an industrial kitchen, and a gym.
Executed by Sienna Services, the project began in August 2020 and was completed in three years.
In his remarks, President Akufo-Addo described the event as historic and a fulfilment of a promise he made to the Western Region in 2016.
He said it demonstrated the government’s commitment to the development of Ghana, particularly the national resources and the Western Region.
President Akufo-Addo indicated that the new headquarters would enhance GNPC’s operations and benefit the local economy of the Western Region, stating, “The physical structure symbolises our dedication to decentralising oil and gas operations in Ghana.”
Although the journey had been challenging, he noted, strategic planning and support from the Western Region had helped overcome obstacles and bring the project to fruition.
He added that the new GNPC headquarters would strategically position GNPC to become the epicentre of Ghana’s oil and gas industry, bringing it closer to the heart of the petroleum enclave and making operations more efficient and effective.
The President said the new headquarters would have a positive impact on the local economy and domestic businesses in the Western Region.
He said there was the need for the industry to reflect on the environmental impact of oil and gas activities and expressed the hope that GNPC and other stakeholders would adopt best practices, maintain higher standards, and manage resources sustainably to benefit the communities.
“We need to achieve a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability so that the resources become a blessing, not a curse,” he stressed, adding, “We remain committed to transparency for the benefit of all Ghanaians.”
The President noted that the new building was a clear indication of efforts to strengthen GNPC and make it robust enough to manage the petroleum industry and world-class petroleum companies.
Minister of State at the Energy Ministry, Herbert Krapa, said the new GNPC headquarters, located closer to the Western Region, would expedite oil and gas operations in Ghana.
He noted that the gas infrastructure at Atuabo and the Takoradi-Tema interconnections would support the economy, ensure power generation security in the future, and build trust with international oil companies.
Mr Krapa told the President, “What you have done will forever be celebrated by the people of Ghana.”
The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, described the event as the realisation of the President’s vision for the Western Region, saying, “The GNPC building is a clear symbol of his faithfulness and love for the region.”
“Today we are here to fulfil another promise for the Western Region,” he added.
The GNPC CEO, Mr Joseph Dadzie, expressed his joy about the project and thanked Mr Darko-Mensah for his remarkable contributions and the chiefs for their collaborative support.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI
