YENDI, GHANA – A joint high-level delegation from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and its upstream operating subsidiary, GNPC Explorco, has paid a solemn condolence call on the Regent of the Dagbon Kingdom, His Majesty Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari II, at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi following the passing of the Overlord of Dagbon.
The delegation was led by the Chief Executive Officer of GNPC and Board Member of GNPC Explorco, Mr. Kwame Ntow Amoah, together with the Managing Director of GNPC Explorco, Mr. Samuel Opoku Arthur, executive management members of GNPC, the management team of GNPC Explorco, and the Managing Director of the GNPC Foundation, Ms. Helga Boadi.
In an address delivered on his behalf by His Royal Highness Zangbalun Naa Dr. Jacob Yakubu II, the Regent welcomed the delegation, acknowledged their commiserations, and framed the long-term relationship between the energy sector and the kingdom.
His Majesty urged GNPC and GNPC Explorco to prioritize local content by creating tangible employment and capacity-building pathways for the youth of Dagbon. He further underscored the critical need for strict environmental protection across all operational activities, direct community development benefits through impactful social investments, transparent and proactive communications with local leadership, and corporate support toward the ongoing construction of the historic Gbewaa Palace.
In response, the leadership of GNPC and GNPC Explorco expressed their deepest condolences to the people of Dagbon and reaffirmed their commitment to building an enduring and mutually beneficial partnership with the Gbewaa Palace, traditional authorities and communities across the project area.
Mr. Ntow Amoah highlighted the years of seismic acquisitions and technical studies since 2018. He further cautioned that the planned drilling should not be interpreted as confirmation of an oil or gas discovery, explaining that the exploratory well is intended to determine the presence of hydrocarbons and assess their potential for commercial development.
He noted that data from the well will also deepen GNPC and Explorco’s understanding of the Basin’s geology and provide critical subsurface information to guide future exploration decisions.
Managing Director of GNPC Explorco, Mr. Samuel Opoku Arthur expressed the company’s sympathy and solidarity with the Royal Family and the people of Dagbon during this period of mourning. “On behalf of the Board, Management and staff of GNPC Explorco, I extend our deepest condolences to the Regent, the Royal Family and the entire people of Dagbon on the passing of the Ya-Na.”
Mr. Opoku Arthur also expressed appreciation to the Regent, traditional authorities and communities for their continued cooperation and support, stressing that sustained engagement would remain central to Explorco’s approach as activities progress. “We are grateful to the Regent, the traditional authorities and the communities for the cooperation and goodwill extended to our teams working in the area. As we move forward, maintaining this relationship through open communication and continuous engagement will be critical to the successful delivery of the project.”
He further reaffirmed GNPC Explorco’s commitment to undertaking its activities responsibly and ensuring that its presence contributes meaningfully to the development aspirations of the communities within the project area. The engagement also drew strong civic participation from the project’s operational area, with the Member of Parliament for Mion, Hon. Misbahu Mahama Adams, and the District Chief Executive for Mion, Hon. Hamzah Azindow Moabalyn, present alongside palace elders and council chiefs.
Hon. Benjamin Narteh Ayiku is a Ghanaian politician and a prominent member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He currently serves as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ledzokuku Constituency (Teshie) in the Greater Accra Region. In August 2025, he was appointed to the Board of GNPC Explorco.
Key Strengths
Beyond his constituency, he serves on several influential parliamentary committees, including Security and Intelligence, Economy and Development, and Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, indicating a well-rounded expertise in national governance.
Ayiku has prioritized local safety through his "Light Up Teshie" efforts, donating and installing over 2,000 streetlights across the constituency to curb nighttime criminal activities. He has also focused on road rehabilitation projects to improve accessibility for residents.
Experience
Hon. Benjamin Narteh Ayiku has a diverse background spanning the corporate sector, entrepreneurship, and public service.
Current External Roles
Hon. Benjamin Narteh Ayiku holds several key external and governance roles beyond his duties as the Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku:
Kwame Ntow Amoah joined GNPC as acting chief executive officer on February 17, 2025. In August 2025, The Energy Minister appointed him as a Board Member of GNPC Explorco.
Key Strengths
Kwame Ntow Amoah has over 33 years of experience in the petroleum industry with a wealth of expertise in leadership, energy economics, public and corporate policy, strategy development, finance raising, and negotiations.
Experience
Throughout his career, Mr. Amoah has held key leadership roles, including Deputy Chief Executive at GNPC and Advisor to the Minister of Energy/Director of Petroleum at the Ministry of Energy. He has also served as Chairman and Member of various national, international, and industry boards and committees. Mr. Amoah has played a pivotal role in international arbitration cases involving Ghana. His contributions include serving as Technical Advisor for Ghana in the Maritime Boundary Case, which the country won on September 23, 2017.
Current External Roles
In August 2025, The Energy Minister appointed Samuel Opoku Arthur as a Board Member of GNPC Explorco.
Key Strengths
15+ years in energy sector operations, commercial strategy, and project development, coordinating exploration planning, stakeholder engagement, and execution of large frontier projects.
Experience
A senior energy and commercial executive with 25+ years of experience across oil and gas, power, mining, and industry in Ghana. He served as Director of Petroleum at the Ministry of Energy & Green Transition in 2025 and previously spent over 12 years at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation in strategic and gas business leadership roles. His earlier career includes commercial and operational positions with INSYSS Ghana Ltd, Lancaster Plant Ltd, Metso Minerals, and ExxonMobil Corporation.
Current External Roles
Serves as the Managing Director for GNPC Explorco.
In August 2025, The Energy Minister appointed Dr. Anafure as the Board Chairman of GNPC Explorco.
Key Strengths
Dr Aaron Issah Anafure is an accomplished insurance professional with extensive credentials and achievements.
Experience
Previously, he served as CEO of SIC Life and CDH Life Insurance Company Limited, and was instrumental in founding SIC Life Savings and Loans. Under his leadership, the company won the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIMG) Life category award five times and was inducted into the CIMG Hall of Fame in 2018.
Current External Roles
CEO - Quality Life Assurance Company (QLAC).
Seth Kwame Boateng is a multi-award-winning Ghanaian journalist and documentary filmmaker who brings over two decades of impact storytelling to corporate communications. His work has shaped national conversations and led to major public-interest reforms through powerful investigative films such as Locked and Forgotten, Left to Rot, and Next to Die.
As Head of Corporate Affairs, Seth leads stakeholder engagement, media relations, and ESG communications—delivering clear, credible messaging that builds trust with communities, regulators, and partners.
He is the recipient of several prestigious honours, including:
Seth holds an MPH in Health Management Planning & Policy from the University of Leeds, an MA in Communication Studies from the University of Ghana, an MA in Conflict, Peace & Security from KAIPTC, and a BA in Economics & Sociology from the University of Cape Coast.
YENDI, GHANA – A joint high-level delegation from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and its upstream operating subsidiary, GNPC Explorco, has paid a solemn condolence call on the Regent of the Dagbon Kingdom, His Majesty Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari II, at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi following the passing of the Overlord of Dagbon.
The delegation was led by the Chief Executive Officer of GNPC and Board Member of GNPC Explorco, Mr. Kwame Ntow Amoah, together with the Managing Director of GNPC Explorco, Mr. Samuel Opoku Arthur, executive management members of GNPC, the management team of GNPC Explorco, and the Managing Director of the GNPC Foundation, Ms. Helga Boadi.
In an address delivered on his behalf by His Royal Highness Zangbalun Naa Dr. Jacob Yakubu II, the Regent welcomed the delegation, acknowledged their commiserations, and framed the long-term relationship between the energy sector and the kingdom.
His Majesty urged GNPC and GNPC Explorco to prioritize local content by creating tangible employment and capacity-building pathways for the youth of Dagbon. He further underscored the critical need for strict environmental protection across all operational activities, direct community development benefits through impactful social investments, transparent and proactive communications with local leadership, and corporate support toward the ongoing construction of the historic Gbewaa Palace.
In response, the leadership of GNPC and GNPC Explorco expressed their deepest condolences to the people of Dagbon and reaffirmed their commitment to building an enduring and mutually beneficial partnership with the Gbewaa Palace, traditional authorities and communities across the project area.
Mr. Ntow Amoah highlighted the years of seismic acquisitions and technical studies since 2018. He further cautioned that the planned drilling should not be interpreted as confirmation of an oil or gas discovery, explaining that the exploratory well is intended to determine the presence of hydrocarbons and assess their potential for commercial development.
He noted that data from the well will also deepen GNPC and Explorco’s understanding of the Basin’s geology and provide critical subsurface information to guide future exploration decisions.
Managing Director of GNPC Explorco, Mr. Samuel Opoku Arthur expressed the company’s sympathy and solidarity with the Royal Family and the people of Dagbon during this period of mourning. “On behalf of the Board, Management and staff of GNPC Explorco, I extend our deepest condolences to the Regent, the Royal Family and the entire people of Dagbon on the passing of the Ya-Na.”
Mr. Opoku Arthur also expressed appreciation to the Regent, traditional authorities and communities for their continued cooperation and support, stressing that sustained engagement would remain central to Explorco’s approach as activities progress. “We are grateful to the Regent, the traditional authorities and the communities for the cooperation and goodwill extended to our teams working in the area. As we move forward, maintaining this relationship through open communication and continuous engagement will be critical to the successful delivery of the project.”
He further reaffirmed GNPC Explorco’s commitment to undertaking its activities responsibly and ensuring that its presence contributes meaningfully to the development aspirations of the communities within the project area. The engagement also drew strong civic participation from the project’s operational area, with the Member of Parliament for Mion, Hon. Misbahu Mahama Adams, and the District Chief Executive for Mion, Hon. Hamzah Azindow Moabalyn, present alongside palace elders and council chiefs.