GNPC Deepens Dagbon Engagement as Voltaian Basin Project Moves Towards First Exploratory Well
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has deepened engagement with traditional authorities in Dagbon as its Voltaian Basin exploration project moves to drill its first exploratory well.
GNPC and its upstream exploration subsidiary, GNPC Explorco, briefed the Regent Overlord of Dagbon, Kampakuya-Naa Yakubu Abukari II, at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi on progress made in the Basin and preparations for the next phase of work, including the construction of a 13.5-kilometer access road to Chegu in the Mion District.
The engagement comes as years of seismic acquisition and further technical studies transition towards exploratory drilling. Since 2018, GNPC has undertaken four phases of 2D seismic acquisition and further technical studies across the Basin, engaging nearly 500 communities in the process.
Chief Executive of GNPC, Mr. Kwame Ntow Amoah, said continued engagement with traditional authorities and communities remains important as the project moves into a more visible phase of on-the-ground activity. Mr Ntow Amoah cautioned, however, against interpreting the planned drilling as confirmation that oil or gas has already been discovered. “An exploratory well does not mean oil or gas has already been found. It is the next step in finding out whether hydrocarbons exist and whether any discovery can eventually be developed commercially.” He explained that information from the well will deepen GNPC’s understanding of the Basin's geology and structural evolution and provide key subsurface data to guide future exploration decisions.
The Regent Overlord welcomed the progress made and reaffirmed Dagbon’s support for the exploration programme, while emphasising that continued engagement must remain central to the work as activities increase across the area. “Partners are not informed after the fact. They are engaged before.” He called for transparent communication, environmental responsibility, and meaningful local participation, while expressing the traditional leadership’s expectation that communities would benefit from any opportunities arising from any eventual successful development.
GNPC Explorco Managing Director, Sam Opoku-Arthur, said preparations had progressed considerably since the company’s previous engagement with the Palace. He noted that construction of the 13.5-kilometre access road to Chegu is the next major activity ahead of preparation for the proposed TUA 1X well location. Mr Opoku-Arthur thanked the traditional leadership and communities for their cooperation and said Explorco would continue working closely with them as the programme progresses towards drilling.
Managing Director of the GNPC Foundation, Helga Boadi, speaking on community development priorities, said needs assessments across Mion, Karaga, Gushegu, Tolon, Zabzugu, and Bimbila were helping to identify interventions in areas including water, primary healthcare, education, sanitation, and livelihood development. She further noted that GNPC already has social investment footprints across northern Ghana, including scholarships, educational infrastructure, boreholes, WASH facilities, and skills development initiatives.
Echoing Ms. Boadi’s remarks, Mr. Ntow Amoah noted that 297 scholarships had been awarded to students at the University for Development Studies and Tamale Technical University, underscoring the Corporation’s longstanding commitment to supporting education in the region. He further affirmed that the Corporation’s relationship with Dagbon’s traditional leadership predates the current drilling preparations.
He recalled GNPC’s engagement with the late Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II dating back to 2017, when, in his capacity as Yoo-Naa of Savelugu, he engaged the Corporation during the earlier stages of exploration activities in the Voltaian Basin. The delegation also used the visit to renew GNPC’s condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Dagbon following the passing of the late Ya-Na.
Following the Palace engagement, the delegation proceeded to the Mion District, where management visited the proposed TUA 1X well location at Chegu to assess preparations for the next phase of the exploration programme.