The 2nd Oil and Gas Excellence Awards has been held in Takoradi to celebrate remarkable strides by companies in the sector.
The event, themed ‘Ghana: Toward an Oil-Led Economic Development’, was organised by Top Brass Ghana in partnership with the Western Regional Coordinating Council.
Director of Top Brass Ghana, Isaac Darkwa, explained: “The objective of the awards scheme was to acknowledge the vital contribution of the oil and gas fraternity to the economic development of the region and the country as a whole”.
Also, he said it was to award those who have played a defining role in moving the oil and gas sector to a significant level and to motivate them to strive for excellence.
Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Western Regional Minister, said 16 years after the first major commercial oil discovery in Ghana, there has been a lot of development in the sector.
“It is important we acknowledge the role some companies have played in defining the role in moving the oil and gas sector” he said.
He noted that the discovery of oil and gas in the Western Region marked a fundamental turning point in Ghana’s economic narrative. This region, blessed with abundant natural resources, has emerged as a significant hub for the extraction of these valuable commodities.
According to him, the exploitation of these resources has not only spurred economic growth but has also provided numerous development opportunities for the nation. The revenues generated from oil and gas exports have contributed significantly to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
These revenues, the Regional Minister said, have been channelled into various sectors such as funding infrastructure development, education, healthcare and social welfare programmes. “These tangible improvements have become a reality due to the financial injection facilitated by the oil and gas sector.”
Also, he said the industry has been a catalyst for job creation. Directly and indirectly, it has provided employment opportunities for many Ghanaians, from engineers and technicians to administrative staff and support workers. This has not only reduced unemployment, but has also empowered individuals, families and communities.
Ghana’s oil and gas industry, he said, has attracted key global industry players on the back of sustained investor interest, largely due to the favourable investment climate and stable democracy. “Therefore, we have solid grounds to leverage to continually attract foreign investors to invest here in Ghana,” he added.
The awards were granted at five different levels, namely: Silver, Gold, Special Gold, Platinum and Special Platinum.
Under the silver category, companies who received the awards were Deck’s Diving Works Limited, Mewnex Company Limited, Mother Spirit Company Limited, Qualitek Ghana Limited, Sagoe Interventions Limited, and Sycamore Medical Centre Healthcare.
GNPC Foundation, Insurance Solutions Limited, Insurance Brokerage and Consultancy, Monpe Heavy Haulage Company Limited, OTS Ghana Limited, Petrosol Ghana Limited, Baker Hughes and Rigworld Solutions Limited were the Gold award-winners.
Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited and Petroleum Logistics, Ghana Link Network Services Limited, Ghana National Gas Company and Port of Takoradi (GPHA) received Special Gold awards while Special Platinum awards were received by National Petroleum Authority and Petroleum Commission.
