Energy Minister wants oil investments to create more Ghanaian jobs, businesses

Ghana's Energy and Green Transition Minister, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, is advocating for a shift in focus towards ensuring that investments in the country's upstream petroleum sector yield tangible benefits. He argues that simply attracting investment is not sufficient, and the government must ensure that petroleum investments generate lasting value for the Ghanaian economy.

During a speech at Ghana Day during Africa Oil Week 2026, Jinapor emphasized that the government's definition of in-country value extends beyond mere ownership to encompass the creation of jobs for Ghanaians, the growth of local businesses, skills development, technology transfer, and the development of infrastructure that benefits the wider economy.

Jinapor stressed that the government's objective is not merely to increase investment but to ensure that the investment promotes genuine capacity, competitiveness, and value addition within the national economy. He highlighted that every Ghanaian job created, every local company integrated into the petroleum supply chain, and every successful technology transferred would bolster the country's economic standing.

To maximize the potential in Ghana's petroleum sector, Jinapor called for enhanced collaboration among various stakeholders, including the government, regulators, investors, Ghanaian businesses, financial institutions, and academic institutions. He emphasized that Ghana seeks not just increased investment but the right kind of investment that uplifts the nation, develops its people, empowers its businesses, creates employment opportunities for its youth, and supports the country's broader development goals.