GNPC, OCTP Partners Deepen Coastal Community Engagement Ahead of New Drilling Campaign
As preparations advance for the next phase of drilling in the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) Block, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and its partners have reaffirmed their commitment to sustained dialogue with coastal communities to support safe, responsible, and uninterrupted petroleum operations.
Working alongside operator Eni Ghana, GNPC participated in a series of engagements with fishing communities across the Western and Central Regions. The sessions provided updates on the upcoming GI-3 ST and Aprokuma 2A/2A ST1 drilling campaigns and reinforced the shared responsibility for protecting lives, critical offshore infrastructure, and Ghana's marine environment.
The engagements form part of GNPC's broader commitment to ensuring that offshore petroleum activities continue to coexist with local livelihood practices through dialogue, transparency, and collaboration.
Representatives from key industry partners, including the Petroleum Commission, the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Fisheries Commission, and the Ghana Navy, joined GNPC in engaging chief fishermen, canoe owners, and community leaders. Discussions centred on offshore safety requirements, environmental stewardship, and the importance of observing the mandatory 500-meter exclusion zone around offshore installations during drilling operations.
Ms. Martha Kumi-Otopah, of GNPC’s Social Performance Department, emphasised that the sustainability of GNPC's community investment programmes in education, healthcare, livelihoods, and infrastructure is intrinsically linked to the safety and uninterrupted operation of the Corporation's offshore assets.
"The sustainability of our community investment programmes in education, healthcare, livelihoods and infrastructure depends on maintaining safe and uninterrupted offshore operations," she said.
She stressed the importance of protecting Ghana's offshore energy infrastructure while preserving the marine environment, calling on all stakeholders, including industry players and fishing communities, to continue working collaboratively to safeguard lives, protect critical national energy assets, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the country's offshore resources.
The upcoming drilling campaign is expected to support continued development of the OCTP asset, one of Ghana's strategic offshore fields and a significant contributor to the country's domestic natural gas supply for power generation.
Beyond technical briefings, the sessions offered an opportunity to address concerns raised by fishing communities, clarify misconceptions surrounding offshore activities, and strengthen awareness of existing grievance mechanisms designed to ensure community concerns are addressed promptly.
The engagements concluded with renewed commitments from the OCTP Partners and community leaders alike to sustain open dialogue and collaboration in support of safe offshore operations.