The Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy has made an urgent appeal to the Ministry of Finance to release GH¢5.6 million to the Petroleum Commission to enable the regulator to establish and operate a state-of-the-art data centre.
According to the Committee, releasing these funds is vital to enhancing the Commission’s technical capacity to manage crucial upstream petroleum data and streamline its day-to-day operations.
Speaking during a working visit to the Petroleum Commission, the Chairman of the Committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, emphasised that continuous investment in the sector remains critical to revitalising Ghana’s upstream oil industry and driving up production figures.
He noted that despite a period of declining investments and hydrocarbon output in recent years, strategic intervention by Parliament—specifically extending the petroleum agreement to 2030—has yielded positive results. The extension has attracted fresh funding into the country, lifting daily production from roughly 80,000 barrels to 120,000 barrels per day.
Demand for accountability in Voltaian Basin
Touching on broader sector issues, the Chairman raised concerns over repeated budgetary allocations towards oil exploration efforts in the Voltaian Basin.
Mr Bedzrah stressed that capital earmarked for onshore exploration must yield tangible outcomes. He made it clear that the Select Committee will demand concrete evidence of progress before giving its blessing to any future budget allocations for the project.
Petroleum Commission outlines vision
During the engagement, the Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle, briefed the lawmakers on the regulator’s operational procedures and mandate, which encompasses regulating, managing, and coordinating upstream petroleum activities across the nation.
Mrs Hardcastle revealed that since taking the helm in 2025, government interventions have focused on halting the decline in crude output, stabilising production levels, and ensuring Ghana remains a prime destination for international energy investments amidst stiff competition across Africa.
She further disclosed that the government has successfully locked in new commitments worth approximately US$35 billion aimed at injecting new life into the sector.
The oversight visit forms part of the Parliamentary Committee’s ongoing routine assessment of state agencies under its purview. The lawmakers are scheduled to wrap up their monitoring tour with upcoming visits to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL).
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
