The Minister for Energy . Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has expressed the desire of the NPP government to nurture and sustain a long-term partnership with Tullow Oil Ltd.
Dr. Prempeh, who is popularly known as ‘NAPO’ and is the MP for Manhyia South, made this point during a virtual meeting with the Chief Executive of Tullow Oil, Mr. Rahul Dhir. In attendance were the Managing Director of Tullow Ghana Ltd, Mr. Wissam Al-Monthiry and other leading executives of the company in Ghana.
The purpose of the meeting was to enable the company formally welcome the Minister to the energy sector and to formally brief him on their operations in Ghana, their strategic direction for 2021 and beyond and a number of legal and other challenges.
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In his remarks, Dr. Prempeh stressed that the NPP believes in the right of individuals and entities to invest and enjoy their profits and noted that at a time when oil prospects in Ghana were considered bleak, companies like Tullow and Kosmos were prepared to undertake exploration in this country because they believed it was worth it. He recognized the company’s support for the education sector, particularly with respect to infrastructure and STEM education. “We want to have Tullow as a long-term partner and I am happy you want to keep investing in Ghana”, he stressed.
He noted further that in respect of various challenges the company had raised, he recognized the duty that they owed to their shareholders. However, he made the point that as Minister for Energy, he owed an ultimate obligation to the people of Ghana and that he had the job of protecting their interests. “Ultimately, though, honesty and openness with each other should shorten the path to the resolution of conflicts” Dr. Prempeh stated.
Tullow Oil has been in Ghana since 2006 and has invested over $19bn in its operations here since then. In the period the company has paid over $6bn to the Government of Ghana through taxes and entitlements and plans to invest $4bn its operations over the next 10 years.