News

The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), in collaboration with its Jubilee and TEN Joint Venture (JV) partners, has successfully concluded its 2025 Annual Engagement with Traditional Authorities in Ghana's Western Region. This three-day outreach, held from July 7 to 9, 2025, served as a crucial forum for fostering transparent communication and reinforcing safety protocols related to offshore oil and gas operations.

The event convened Traditional Leaders from the seven coastal districts, stressing the vital link between offshore activities and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Key objectives included providing operational updates, outlining safety and security measures in anticipation of the upcoming Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) seismic campaign, and reaffirming protocols for effective grievance redress. The engagement also facilitated an open dialogue, allowing Chiefs to voice concerns and offer recommendations, consistent with the collaborative community engagement model employed by GNPC and its partners.

"We recognize that robust partnerships with community gatekeepers are essential to the safe and responsible management of Ghana’s offshore resources," stated Ms. Patience Lartey, GNPC’s Manager for Social Performance and Local Content. "These engagements cultivate mutual trust and shared responsibility."

A prominent issue discussed was the escalating trend of fishing vessel incursions into restricted offshore zones. Data presented by the JV Partners and the Ghana Marine Police revealed a concerning increase: as of May 2025, there were 159 incursions into the Advisory Zone, with an additional 32 incursions into the Exclusive Zone recorded in June 2025 alone. These statistics highlight serious safety concerns, prompting urgent calls for enhanced enforcement and sustained public awareness campaigns.

Ms. Lartey's presentation underlined the legal framework governing offshore zones, specifically referencing the Ghana Shipping (Protection of Offshore Operations and Assets) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2010). She emphasized the significant legal and safety implications of unauthorized entry into these zones, urging Traditional Authorities to disseminate this critical information among fisherfolk to prevent hazardous and unlawful activities near offshore installations. Ms. Lartey also reaffirmed GNPC’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development, citing ongoing social investment programs that benefit communities across coastal districts and beyond. She extended gratitude to the Traditional Authorities for their enduring cooperation and solicited their continued support in maintaining a secure marine environment.

Inspector Agyemang Opambour of the Marine Police corroborated these concerns, providing a detailed briefing supported by photographic and video evidence of recent violations. He cautioned against the escalating risks posed by these incursions and emphasized the importance of communities respecting the 500-meter Exclusive Zone and the 10,000-meter Advisory Zone, as stipulated by maritime regulations.

The session concluded with a dynamic Q&A segment, enabling Chiefs to raise specific concerns and receive immediate clarifications from the Partners. In a strong demonstration of solidarity, the Traditional Leaders pledged their commitment to sensitizing their respective communities about the critical importance of adhering to offshore safety regulations.

This engagement is part of a broader series of community and leadership outreach efforts led by the Jubilee and TEN Partners in other operational regions, including recent sensitization programs targeting fisherfolk and canoe owners. These initiatives collectively form an integral component of the comprehensive stakeholder engagement framework that underpins responsible oil and gas production in Ghana.