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.
Exploration expansion, Voltaian Basin development, and JV-led growth position Ghana as one of Africa’s most compelling upstream investment destinations
Accra, Ghana | June 2026
A major new phase in Ghana’s upstream evolution is underway as GNPC Explorco and AOW:Energy 2026 deepen strategic alignment aimed at accelerating exploration activity, attracting international investment, and unlocking frontier basin potential across the country’s petroleum landscape.
At a time when global upstream capital is increasingly focused on reserve replacement, portfolio expansion, and stable partnership jurisdictions, Ghana is emerging as one of West Africa’s most closely watched investment destinations.
At the centre of this transformation is GNPC Explorco, led by Managing Director Samuel O. Arthur, which is positioning itself as a gateway to new acreage opportunities, joint venture partnerships, and long-term upstream value creation. Industry observers say the company is increasingly being viewed as a strategic entry point for operators seeking exposure to Ghana’s next wave of exploration and production growth.
Explorco 2030: Building a Globally Competitive Upstream Operator
Recent strategic disclosures from GNPC Explorco, led by Managing Director Samuel O. Arthur, outline a clear ambition to transform the company into an “investment-grade E&P operator” capable of competing and partnering at international scale.
The Explorco 2030 strategy sets out a focused roadmap built around operational excellence, expanded JV and strategic partnerships, reserve maturation through frontier exploration, stronger financial discipline and transparency, and the development of Ghanaian upstream technical capability.
At its core, the strategy reflects a shift in how Explorco is positioning itself, from a state-linked upstream participant to a commercially credible partner for international operators and investors seeking exposure to Ghana’s growing energy opportunity set.
Speaking on the strategy, MD of Explorco, Samuel O. Arthur said, “This is a commitment to Ghana’s energy future.” Industry observers note that this direction signals Ghana’s intention to strengthen its upstream competitiveness while unlocking new basins and expanding long-term reserve potential.
Explorco: Pursuing a ‘Higher Purpose’ Through Responsible Exploration
At Explorco, responsible exploration and production is a higher purpose driven by the belief that profitability and positive impact must coexist. Guided by leadership, the company measures its success by its ability to create lasting value for the people. This philosophy is put into action through transparent, sustained engagement and continuous dialogue with government, regulatory institutions, host communities, traditional leaders, and local authorities. “Explorco ensures its operations remain safe, compliant, and aligned with national development objectives.”, Mr. Samuel O. Arthur noted.
Beyond its core business of unlocking Ghana’s hydrocarbon potential, Explorco actively supports social and environmental stewardship through capacity building, wellbeing initiatives for women and girls, while prioritizing local content development to boost local businesses.
Again, matters of the environment are equally integrated into Explorco’s governance, highlighted by its commitment to the “Tree for Life” reforestation program to foster biodiversity and climate resilience. Ultimately, responsibility is embedded in every decision, ensuring that economic benefits are shared broadly while preserving the environment for future generations.
Industry Perspective: Paul Sinclair on Ghana’s Upstream Momentum
AOW:Energy CEO Paul Sinclair highlighted the significance of Explorco’s transformation within the wider African upstream landscape. “Explorco is clearly positioning itself as a credible upstream partner for international operators and investors,” the AOW:Energy CEO went on to add, “That level of structure and long-term vision is exactly what the market is looking for in Africa today.”
He added that alignment between national ambition and commercial strategy is increasingly important for attracting global upstream capital. “Investors want clarity, partnership, and scalability, and Ghana is beginning to deliver that through platforms like Explorco.”
Voltaian Basin: Ghana’s Frontier Growth Opportunity
A key pillar of Explorco’s upstream strategy is the Voltaian Basin, widely viewed as one of Africa’s most significant emerging frontier exploration opportunities. In 2025, Explorco confirmed plans to drill the first exploration well in 2026, in the basin since 1974, a milestone that has generated substantial international industry interest.
Extensive aerial geophysical surveys have already been completed across northern Ghana, forming part of a major geological data acquisition programme ahead of drilling.
The basin is increasingly being positioned as a new frontier exploration province, a potential reserve replacement engine for Ghana, a long-term upstream growth catalyst.
Speaking on partnership requirements for the basin, Explorco leadership noted, “We are looking for credible partners to develop what we believe will be a game-changing upstream opportunity for Ghana and our economy.”
This positioning continues to attract attention from international operators seeking frontier exposure in politically stable African jurisdictions.
AOW:Energy Partnership Driving Investment Visibility
AOW:Energy CEO Paul Sinclair said the growing alignment between Explorco and AOW reflects a broader shift in how global upstream investment is being structured across Africa. “Explorco represents one of the most important upstream growth stories in West Africa today,” Paul Sinclair, CEO AOW:Energy also noted, “What we are seeing is a company building long-term capability, opening frontier opportunity, and actively inviting international partnership into Ghana’s upstream future.”
He added that Ghana is becoming increasingly attractive due to its combination of geological potential, improving regulatory engagement, and structured partnership frameworks.
“Investors are looking for upstream environments where access, clarity, and long-term vision align, Ghana is increasingly delivering on all three.”
Government Alignment Strengthening Ghana’s Upstream Confidence
Recent engagements between government stakeholders, GNPC, and GNPC Explorco leadership have reinforced the strategic importance of upstream development within Ghana’s broader energy and economic agenda.
Across recent policy statements and sector discussions, government messaging has remained consistently focused on accelerating reserve growth, expanding exploration activity, attracting increased upstream investment, strengthening international partnerships, and improving production performance across existing assets.
This coordinated positioning reflects a clear national priority: strengthening Ghana’s upstream competitiveness while ensuring the sector continues to deliver long-term energy security and economic value.
Industry observers note that this growing alignment between government policy direction and upstream strategy is playing an important role in restoring investor confidence in Ghana’s exploration and production outlook, particularly as the country seeks to balance mature basin performance with new frontier opportunities and increased capital participation.
AOW:Energy 2026: Gateway to Upstream Deal Flow
Taking place in Accra from 1–3 September 2026, AOW:Energy is expected to serve as a major platform for upstream investment origination, licensing discussions, and joint venture engagement.
Conclusion: Ghana Positioned for Its Next Upstream Growth Cycle
Under the leadership of Managing Director Samuel O. Arthur, GNPC Explorco is increasingly positioning itself as a central driver of Ghana’s upstream expansion strategy, combining frontier exploration ambition with structured partnership frameworks and long-term reserve development.
As global energy markets continue to prioritise upstream access, portfolio growth, and stable investment environments, Ghana is emerging as a compelling jurisdiction where those priorities intersect. According to industry observers, the message from Ghana is becoming increasingly clear, the next cycle of African upstream growth is opening, and Explorco intends to lead it.
ENDS
About AOW:Energy
AOW:Energy is Africa’s leading upstream oil, gas, and energy investment platform, bringing together governments, national oil companies, investors, operators, and technology providers to accelerate energy development and unlock new opportunities across the continent.
Held annually in Accra, Ghana, AOW:Energy serves as a high-level meeting point where policy meets capital, and where strategic dialogue is translated into practical outcomes, including investment decisions, partnerships, and deal flow. The platform is designed to support Africa’s evolving role in the global energy system by strengthening upstream exploration, production, gas monetisation, and energy transition pathways.
With a strong focus on Africa-led growth, investment facilitation, and improving the ease of doing business in the energy sector, AOW:Energy provides an environment for open engagement between governments and industry. The event convenes senior decision-makers to address key themes including upstream licensing rounds, project financing, M&A opportunities, infrastructure development, energy security, and sustainable resource development.
AOW:Energy is organised by Sankofa Events, an Africa-focused events and engagement company committed to advancing responsible resource development, local content participation, and inclusive economic growth across the continent’s energy and natural resource sectors.
Contact: paul.sinclair@aowenergy.com