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.
Mr. Samuel Opoku Arthur is a senior energy executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience across Ghana’s oil and gas, power, and mining sectors. He currently serves as Managing Director and Board Member of GNPC Explorco, the upstream exploration and production arm of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, where he directs the company’s onshore frontier programme, oil and gas infrastructure development, and the commercialization of Ghana’s hydrocarbon resources.
Anchored in over 15 years of upstream operations and commercial strategy, Mr. Arthur has established himself as a principal architect of petroleum strategy within Ghana’s national oil company. His leadership has centred on translating national energy policy into executable commercial strategy - formulating exploration and production strategy, designing the financing and contractual frameworks that underpin large-scale energy infrastructure, and negotiating the complex commercial agreements through which Ghana’s petroleum resources are brought to market.
He has played a defining role in petroleum monetization and infrastructure deal structuring, developing the commercial and financing architecture that spans the upstream, midstream, and downstream petroleum value chains, including processing, transportation, and petroleum-to-power. This work brings together structured financing solutions, bankable commercial frameworks, and rigorous economic scenario modelling and energy risk analytics - unlocking value from Ghana’s petroleum resources while securing reliable supply for domestic power generation and industry.
Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Arthur served as Director of Petroleum at the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, where he helped shape national upstream policy, licensing strategy, and the regulatory frameworks governing Ghana’s petroleum sector. He brought to that role more than a decade of strategic leadership at GNPC, holding a succession of senior positions across exploration planning, commercial strategy, stakeholder engagement, and corporate investment planning. Earlier in his career, he held commercial and operational roles with Metso Minerals and INSYSS Ghana Ltd - experiences that sharpened his capabilities in business strategy, investment structuring, and energy risk analysis.
Mr. Arthur combines deep technical, commercial, and policy fluency with board-level executive judgment, consistently focused on unlocking value and driving responsible, sustainable growth across Ghana’s upstream sector. He believes that exploration and positive social impact must advance together to secure the future of energy for the people of Ghana.
Dr. Nicholas Tetteh is an accomplished finance professional and the Director of Finance & Administration at GNPC Exploration & Production Company Limited (Explorco), the exploration subsidiary of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation. In this role, he provides strategic leadership and oversight for the company’s financial management, financial reporting process, administrative operations, risk management and fiscal governance, helping to ensure strong financial discipline and institutional accountability across the organisation.
Dr. Tetteh is a chartered accountant with over twenty-seven years post qualification experience. With a He Have acquired several years of extensive knowledge and skills in financial management, governance, risk management and controls in the professional services sector, banking, downstream and upstream oil & gas industries. He brings the strong academic foundation and extensive financial expertise to bear on his role at Explorco. His professional experience reflects a consistent commitment to financial integrity, operational efficiency, and value optimisation within Explorco’s operations. He plays a pivotal role in aligning financial strategy with the company’s broader operational objectives, supporting sustainable growth and the prudent deployment of resources.
Dr. Tetteh is recognised for his analytical approach, attention to detail, and strong commitment to transparency and good governance. Through his leadership, he continues to strengthen Explorco’s financial systems and support the company’s mandate to deliver long-term value through responsible, efficient, and sustainable resource development.
Bernard Boadi is a seasoned finance executive, Chartered Accountant, and Chartered Tax Advisor with over a decade of experience in the oil and gas industry. He serves as Head of Finance at GNPC Explorco. In this role, he leads the company’s financial management function and provides strategic oversight of budgeting, treasury, tax, financial reporting, and internal controls to support sustainable growth and disciplined capital deployment.
As Head of Finance, Bernard is responsible for developing annual budgets and forecasts, monitoring financial performance, ensuring statutory and tax compliance, and supporting investment evaluations across GNPC Explorco’s portfolio. He works closely with technical and commercial teams to assess project economics and ensure that financial decisions align with the company’s objective of maximizing value from Ghana’s petroleum resources.
Bernard is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana and the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana. He holds a Bachelor of Education (Social Sciences) degree from the University of Cape Coast and a Master of Science in Corporate Financial Management from The University of Law Business School (UK).
Known for his integrity, analytical rigor, and strategic mindset, Bernard combines deep expertise in accounting, taxation, and corporate finance with a practical understanding of upstream energy economics.
Tettey Wilson-Tei is the Acting Head of Commercial and Strategy at GNPC Explorco, where he leads the company's commercial and strategic agenda across a twelve-asset upstream portfolio. He directs investment evaluation, portfolio optimization, commercial negotiations, partner engagements, and capital allocation, ensuring that major investments and commercial arrangements are underpinned by rigorous economic analysis and deliver measurable value to the company and its shareholder.
He is currently advancing Explorco's transition toward operatorship, leading partner engagement, investment structuring, and preparations for the company's first operated exploration well in the Voltaian Basin.
Tettey has led transactions, negotiations, and investment assessments representing more than US$10 billion in combined value and is recognized for translating complex technical challenges into commercially sound decisions in high-stakes environments.
Prior to joining Explorco, he held progressively senior commercial and investment roles at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), including appointments as Principal Commercial Officer and Special Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer. He served as GNPC's lead economist in negotiations relating to the Greater Jubilee gas pricing framework, advised Ghana's Gas Price Committee on pricing strategies supporting over US$1 billion of proposed upstream investment, and led GNPC's first Loss of Production Income (LOPI) insurance placement, which secured coverage for approximately US$1.5 billion of production exposure within the Greater Jubilee Joint Venture. He also served on the Financial Committees of both the Jubilee and TEN fields.
Earlier in his career, Tettey worked with Taylor-DeJongh, a Washington, D.C.-based investment bank specializing in project finance, where he advised energy, power, and infrastructure clients on project financing and corporate transactions across international markets.
Tettey holds an MBA and an MSc in Global Management with a Finance focus from Thunderbird School of Global Management, and a BA from Davidson College. He is a Certified Project Finance Analyst (CPFA) and a Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA) and has completed executive education in negotiation and leadership at Harvard Law School. Tettey is a member of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN).
Joseph Tettey Laryea is a senior energy executive and strategy professional serving as Head of New Ventures at GNPC Explorco. In this role, he leads the identification, evaluation, and development of new business opportunities across the upstream oil and gas value chain, supporting GNPC Explorco’s long-term growth and portfolio diversification strategy.
As Head of New Ventures, Joseph is responsible for sourcing and screening exploration prospects, including frontier basins, acreage opportunities, and potential farm-in deals. He evaluates geological and geophysical data to assess hydrocarbon potential and works closely with technical, commercial, and legal teams to determine the viability of drilling opportunities. His work helps shape the company’s exploration portfolio and supports Ghana’s broader ambition to expand domestic hydrocarbon discoveries and strengthen energy security.
Joseph brings deep expertise in exploration strategy, basin evaluation, and upstream investment screening. He is known for combining technical understanding of petroleum systems with commercial discipline to ensure that exploration decisions are both geologically sound and economically viable.
Within GNPC Explorco’s strategic framework, his role is critical to unlocking new discoveries and expanding Ghana’s resource base through disciplined exploration and strategic partnerships.
Joseph Tettey Laryea is a key strategic leader whose expertise in venture development and upstream expansion strengthens GNPC Explorco’s growth and reinforces its mission to build a world-class Ghanaian exploration and production company.
He also serves as Project Manager for the Voltaian Basin Project and Asset Manager for Explorco’s flagship onshore operated assets, the GH_VB_01 and GH_VB_04 blocks.
Mrs. Angela Opokua Afonope is a seasoned Geoscientist with over fifteen (15) years of progressive experience within the oil and gas sector. She currently holds the position of Ag. Head of Exploration and Appraisal at GNPC Exploration and Production Limited Company (Explorco).
Mrs. Afonope possesses a specialized focus on hydrocarbon exploration within both frontier and mature basins, with a strategic objective to increase Ghana's national oil and gas reserves. Her professional expertise was instrumental during Ghana's inaugural Open Competitive Bidding Round in 2018, where she served on the Technical Sub-Committee. Previously, as a key member of GNPC's New Ventures team, she was responsible for promoting the country's exploration portfolio and engaging with both local and international investor communities.
In her current capacity, Mrs. Afonope manages Explorco’s Assets offshore Ghana. In this role, she provides critical oversight of the Operator's activities to ensure strict adherence to the governing Petroleum Agreement (PA) and leads technical deliberations at committee meetings.
Concurrently, she assists with work in the Voltaian Basin. Within this project, her responsibilities include the technical evaluation of potential exploration targets, the formulation of exploration strategy recommendations for executive management, and the strategic selection of prospective drilling locations for upcoming campaigns.
Mrs. Afonope holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Ghana, Legon, and a Master of Science in Petroleum Geoscience from Imperial College London, UK.
She has a passion for research and mentoring young Geoscientists in the oil and gas sector.
She has established a distinguished career characterized by technical diligence, operational professionalism, and demonstrated leadership. Her unique perspective enhances technical decision-making and drives innovative solutions within the field.
Theophilus Quaye Mensah is a senior petroleum industry executive and currently serves as Head of Development and Production at GNPC Explorco. In this role, he contributes directly to the company’s drive to expand domestic oil and gas production, strengthen indigenous technical capability, and unlock frontier opportunities, including the Voltaian Basin.
His experience spans the entire petroleum engineering discipline from well engineering through field development planning, and production optimization to decommissioning; with leadership responsibility for multidisciplinary teams focused on well planning and execution, production operations including subsea and topside facilities. His career has spanned multiple field development projects, working with multicultural teams across project locations including Houston, Singapore, Tokyo, Ankara, Malaysia, Oslo, and London to name a few. He also played critical roles in the commissioning of the Tweneboa, Enyenra, Ntomme (TEN) fields as a member of the start-up team; project engineer during the Turret Remediation Project (TRP) of the FPSO KNK, company representative to the Takoradi-Tema Interconnection Project (TTIP) reverse flow project, lead subsea engineer during the Hess-IntecSea Front-end Engineering Design for the early Pecan development concept etc.
As Head of Development and Production, he plays a critical role in evaluating exploration discoveries, guiding development planning, and supporting operational decision-making across GNPC Explorco’s portfolio. Theophilus is recognised for his strong analytical capability, sound technical judgement, and collaborative leadership style. He combines deep technical expertise with strategic and commercial insights having obtained an MBA from the University of Oxford, enabling him to bridge subsurface analysis, production operations, and corporate strategy effectively.
Theophilus Quaye Mensah is a highly respected upstream leader whose contributions remain core to GNPC Explorco’s mission of building a world-class Ghanaian exploration and production company.
Lowestein A. Odai is an experienced petroleum engineer with a strong track record in Ghana’s upstream oil and gas industry. As Acting Head of Engineering at GNPC Explorco, he provides technical leadership and oversees engineering activities that support the company’s exploration and production objectives.
Throughout his career, he has contributed to production optimization, field development planning and project execution across Ghana’s petroleum value chain. His work has helped advance local content initiatives, strengthen indigenous expertise and support national energy security goals.
Known for his expertise in petroleum engineering, operational excellence and collaborative leadership, Lowestein plays a key role in ensuring engineering projects are delivered safely, efficiently and in alignment with corporate strategy. He has also participated in industry forums and knowledge-sharing initiatives, contributing to discussions on exploration, production and energy development in Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector.
Philomina Donkor is the Head of Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) at GNPC Explorco, providing strategic leadership in the development and implementation of HSSE frameworks that promote safe, sustainable, and responsible upstream operations.
With over a decade of experience within the GNPC Group, she has contributed significantly to strengthening the Company's safety culture, environmental stewardship, risk management practices, and regulatory compliance across exploration and production activities. Her expertise spans occupational health and safety management, environmental risk assessment, process safety, emergency preparedness, contractor HSSE assurance, and regulatory compliance.
Philomina holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Science in Health, Safety and Environment Management from the University of Wales, a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, and a NEBOSH Diploma. She provides oversight for HSSE policies, systems, incident prevention strategies, environmental monitoring programmes, workforce safety initiatives, and enterprise risk management processes, ensuring that HSSE considerations remain embedded in strategic planning and operational decision-making.
Recognised for her proactive leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to operational excellence, Philomina continues to support GNPC Explorco’s goal of delivering safe, environmentally responsible, and sustainable upstream petroleum operations in support of Ghana’s long-term energy development agenda.
Kwabena G. Ohene-Bonsu is a technology, data, and digital systems professional currently serving as Acting Head of Information Technology at GNPC Explorco. He began his career with GNPC in 2016, building deep experience across software engineering, data systems, enterprise applications, and digital transformation before joining GNPC Explorco in April 2026. His career reflects a steady progression from hands-on technical delivery to strategic technology leadership, with a focus on strengthening business operations through reliable, secure, and insight-driven digital solutions.
He holds a Master’s degree in Data Science from the University of Bath and a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Ashesi University, combining strong engineering foundations with advanced analytics and business systems expertise. Over the years, he has contributed to and led several impactful technology initiatives, including the automation of petroleum production data processes across major oil fields, the development of in-house applications to improve internal workflows, leading the development of the GNPC Foundation Scholarship Portal, and the successful delivery of GNPC’s corporate website.
As Acting Head of Information Technology at GNPC Explorco, Kwabena oversees the development, security, and optimization of the company’s IT infrastructure, enterprise systems, and digital platforms. His work spans enterprise application support, cybersecurity, data governance, digital collaboration, business continuity, and the use of technology to improve operational efficiency and decision-making.
Kwabena is known for his problem-solving mindset, technical depth, and collaborative leadership style. He brings together software engineering, data science, and practical business understanding to deliver technology solutions that are scalable, secure, and aligned with organizational goals. His contributions continue to support GNPC Explorco’s vision of building a modern, efficient, and globally competitive upstream energy company.
Natasha Nylander is a practising lawyer admitted to the Bar of England and Wales and the Ghana Bar. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Essex (UK) and a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen (UK).
Ms Nylander currently serves as Head of Legal at GNPC Explorco Limited, where she is the company’s first directly employed in-house counsel. In this role, she supports daily operations and contributes to key strategic initiatives.
She previously served as General Manager of Legal within the executive management team of a leading national gas company, working closely with senior leadership and providing legal oversight across all aspects of the company’s operations, including strategic expansion initiatives.
She trained at a leading law firm in Ghana, where she gained extensive experience in corporate law, commercial agreements, dispute resolution, and related practice areas. She has advised both local and international clients, particularly within the oil and gas sector. During her early years of training, she undertook a formative placement at Norton Rose (London), where she was exposed to mining legislation across Sub-Saharan Africa. During this period, she was recognised as a Rising Star by the International Financial Law Review (IFLR 1000).
In 2025, Ms Nylander was named Top Corporate Legal Leader of the Year (Gas Transmission & Infrastructure) at the General Counsel & Corporate Legal Leadership Awards, in recognition of her leadership and contributions to governance and compliance in the sector.
She has also been named to the GC Powerlist 2025, highlighting her influence within the energy and legal sectors.
She is a member of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), and the Ghana Bar Association.
Joyce Abdulai is an experienced Human Resource professional specializing in strategic HR management, organizational development, and public sector administration. She has a strong background in designing and implementing HR systems that improve performance and employee engagement.
Previously, at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, she held senior HR roles, contributing to performance management frameworks, HR analytics, training strategies, and employee relations.
Ms Abdulai is skilled in HR policy development, compensation analysis, and talent management. She holds an MBA in Human Resource Management from the University of Ghana, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Linguistics. An affiliate member of the Senior Human Resource Professional, she has also pursued specialized training in HR analytics and oil and gas management.
Currently, Joyce serves as Head of Human Resources at GNPC Exploration & Production Limited, providing strategic leadership in Human Resource Management in the upstream oil and gas sector.
Augustine Acquah-Mensah is an experienced supply chain and logistics professional serving as the Acting Head of Supply Chain at GNPC Explorco. In this capacity, he plays a pivotal role in supporting the company’s operational efficiency and project delivery by overseeing core supply chain functions across exploration and production activities.
With broad experience spanning sourcing, procurement, transportation, warehousing, and distribution management, he is responsible for coordinating the seamless movement of materials, equipment, and services essential to upstream operations. He also leads initiatives aimed at optimizing the company’s supply chain cost structure while enhancing reliability, responsiveness, and overall operational performance.
As Acting Head of Supply Chain, Mr. Acquah-Mensah contributes to the development and execution of supply chain strategies that support inbound materials management, logistics coordination, and equipment lease planning. He works closely with technical, operational, and commercial teams to ensure the timely delivery of critical resources, effective vendor management, and the continuous improvement of inventory and logistics processes across the organization.
Mr. Acquah-Mensah is recognized for his strong leadership, sound operational judgment, and collaborative approach to supply chain management. His work continues to support GNPC Explorco’s commitment to efficient, cost-effective, and dependable upstream operations, positioning the company to deliver on its strategic objectives with confidence.
Alex Offei Lartey is a seasoned marketing communications, digital strategy, and stakeholder engagement executive with over 15 years of experience across technology, banking, and telecommunications sectors. He currently serves as the Head of Corporate Affairs at GNPC Explorco, leading corporate communications, brand identity, Reputation management, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
He plays a central role in translating GNPC Explorco’s technical and operational activities into clear, accessible narratives for stakeholders, including employees, government, regulators, host communities, media, and the public.
Alex is widely recognized for his professional contributions and has received various industry recognitions from the Institute of Public Relations, National Communications Awards, Ghana Technology and Telecom Awards, and the PR Excellence Awards. These honors reflect his consistent impact in advancing communication excellence and digital innovation within Ghana’s corporate landscape.
Alex Offei Lartey is a highly respected professional whose expertise strengthens GNPC Explorco’s reputation and engagement with stakeholders while supporting Ghana’s broader energy development objectives.
Kenneth Kojo Boamah is an experienced audit and risk management professional serving as Head of Internal Audit at GNPC Explorco. Since joining GNPC in 2011, he has played a key role in strengthening internal controls, governance frameworks, and risk management processes across the company’s operations.
A member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), he brings broad expertise in internal audit, governance, compliance and advisory reviews. Kenneth leads major risk-based audit engagements and advisory assignments aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, accountability, and organisational performance.
Kenneth holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Ghana, a master’s degree in Oil and Gas Accounting from Robert Gordon University, and an Executive Master of Business Administration in Banking and Finance from École Supérieure de Gestion (ESG France). He is also a Certified Internal Audit Practitioner (CIAP) and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
His specialised training in oil and gas accounting, combined with his expertise in audit and risk management, enables him to assess financial controls, operational risks, and regulatory compliance effectively within upstream oil and gas activities.
As Head of Internal Audit, he works closely with management and key stakeholders to promote transparency, strengthen corporate governance, and support sound decision-making across the organisation. Kenneth is recognised for his analytical capability, professional integrity, and commitment to continuous improvement, contributing meaningfully to GNPC Explorco’s mission of building a strong and accountable Ghanaian exploration and production company.