Ghana team arriving tonight; VP Jagdeo defends use of country’s expertise

A team from Ghana, including the country’s Deputy Minister of Energy Andrew Mercer, will be arriving in Guyana tonight as part of deepening relations between the two countries, where Guyana is benefitting from Ghana’s expertise to create a sound oil and gas architecture.

This was announced by Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference this afternoon. He said the team will also include the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the country’s Petroleum Commission Egbert Faibille Jnr and the company’s Director of Local Content Kwaku Boateng.

Importantly, too, in the coming days more Ghanian officials are expected, specifically from the Ghana National Gas company. These visits follow the Vice-President’s recent visit to the West African nation.

These Ghanian officials are expected to help support the creation of Guyana Local Content policy and the revision of the Sovereign Wealth Fund that deals with the management of oil revenues.

During his press conference, the Vice-President also knocked concerns about Guyana receiving assistance from Ghana to bolster its oil and gas sector.

He, however, explained, “We’ve had a lot of consultants from the northern countries, but it’s time that we go to a country that has actually had to build these institutions from scratch in a relatively short period of time.”

Dr. Jagdeo also emphasised that Ghana has had “enormous experience” in building out its oil and gas structure.

On Friday, President Dr. Irfaan Ali assured members of the public that amended Natural Resources Fund and Local Content legislation will be taken to the National Assembly before the end of 2021.

Dr. Ali said Guyana will receive extensive assistance from experts in Ghana to achieve this. It follows a recent visit by Vice-President Jagdeo to the oil-producing West African nation.

Dr. Ali, during a virtual press conference, also announced that Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo will participate in the major oil and gas conference billed for early next year.

Additionally, the country’s Vice-President is also expected to visit Guyana in coming weeks along with a team of private sector personnel.