Ghana Gas CEO Judith Adjoa Blay
Ghana National Gas Company Limited (Ghana Gas) Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Judith Adjoa Blay, has called for a stronger local content framework that prioritises the technical capabilities, competitiveness and global expansion of indigenous companies in Ghana’s petroleum industry.
Speaking at the 2026 Local Content Conference and Exhibition (LCCE), which also marked the 15th anniversary of the Petroleum Commission, Ms. Blay emphasised the need for Ghana to move beyond participation percentages and focus on building technically capable Ghanaian enterprises that can undertake complex assignments in the petroleum sector.
The conference was held under the theme: “Enriching Local Content for Sustainable Growth: Building a Resilient Upstream Sector Through Reforms and Partnerships to Spur Competitiveness and Investment.”
Her remarks highlighted the progress Ghana has made in promoting indigenous participation while stressing the need for strategic partnerships, investment in human capital and infrastructure expansion to sustain the country’s local content achievements.
Ms. Blay noted that Ghana’s local content agenda has undergone significant transformation over the years, evolving from the initial focus on creating opportunities for Ghanaian participation to a broader emphasis on capacity development, competitiveness, sustainability and value creation.
She described the evolution as a sign of growth and said Ghana’s local content framework, together with the work of the Petroleum Commission, has become a reference point for other emerging petroleum-producing countries.
According to her, countries such as Uganda, Namibia and Liberia have looked to Ghana’s experience in developing their own local content policies and regulatory approaches.
However, she maintained that the next phase of Ghana’s local content development must focus on the quality of indigenous participation, particularly the technical expertise and ability of local companies to compete for more complex contracts.
Ms. Blay said the country must deliberately strengthen indigenous enterprises to enable them to undertake larger projects and compete beyond the domestic market.
The Ghana Gas CEO disclosed that the company has developed a fully indigenous workforce responsible for operating and maintaining its gas processing, distribution and transmission infrastructure.
She said the achievement demonstrates the ability of Ghanaians to manage and operate strategic national assets when supported by deliberate investments in human capital, knowledge transfer and capacity development.
Ms. Blay highlighted the significance of the company’s infrastructure, which, according to her speech, contributes to 83 per cent of thermal power production and supplies 30 per cent of LPG for domestic consumers and industrial development.
She described the development of a fully indigenous workforce capable of managing such technically demanding infrastructure as a major milestone in Ghana’s local content journey.
Ms. Blay further revealed that Ghana Gas is seeking to make local content more inclusive by extending business and employment opportunities to individuals and companies within its operational catchment areas and host communities.
She said the ambition would require the expansion of the company’s infrastructure and operational capacity to meet the growing demand for natural gas.
According to her, the expansion of Ghana Gas operations would create additional opportunities for indigenous businesses, technical professionals and communities located within project areas.
The CEO stressed that local content should not only benefit companies operating at the national level but should also translate into tangible economic opportunities for communities directly affected by petroleum and gas operations.
As part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s gas infrastructure and meet increasing market demand, Ms. Blay announced strategic initiatives being pursued by Ghana Gas.
These include the addition of a third train compressor to enhance gas processing capacity and operational reliability.
She also highlighted the proposed construction of the approximately 278-kilometre Takoradi–Tema (T-T) Pipeline, which is expected to expand the country’s gas transmission network.
The proposed pipeline and compressor project are intended to strengthen energy security, improve the resilience of gas infrastructure and support the expansion of industries.
Ms. Blay noted that the investments would also create significant opportunities for Ghanaian companies, technical professionals and communities along the project corridors.
The projects, she indicated, form part of Ghana Gas’ broader strategy to respond to growing demand while deepening indigenous participation in the energy sector.
Beyond the expansion of midstream gas infrastructure, Ms. Blay called for increased investment in Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector.
She explained that sustained investment in exploration, field development and production is critical to securing reliable and sustainable gas supplies for Ghana Gas operations.
According to her, adequate upstream investment would provide the feedstock required to optimise existing facilities, meet rising demand and support future expansion plans.
She emphasised that the growth of the gas sector depends not only on infrastructure development but also on a sustainable supply of natural gas from upstream operations.
Ms. Blay underscored the importance of partnerships in strengthening indigenous companies and creating a resilient petroleum industry.
She said some of the increasingly complex and technical opportunities within the petroleum sector may exceed the capabilities of individual Ghanaian companies.
She therefore called for strategic partnerships, joint ventures and collaborations that would enable indigenous enterprises to pool their expertise, resources and capabilities to undertake larger assignments.
According to her, collaboration among local companies, industry players and international partners would be essential to building stronger and more competitive Ghanaian enterprises.
The ultimate objective, she stressed, should be to develop indigenous companies capable of competing not only within Ghana but also across Africa and the global petroleum industry.
The 2026 Local Content Conference and Exhibition also marked the 15th anniversary of the Petroleum Commission, an institution Ms. Blay described as instrumental in advancing Ghana’s indigenous participation in the petroleum industry.
Reflecting on her eight years of professional service at the Commission, she described her participation in the anniversary celebration as a homecoming.
She expressed pride in having contributed to the Commission’s local content initiatives and called for continued collaboration between the Petroleum Commission and Ghana Gas to promote a more competitive, inclusive and sustainable petroleum industry.
Ms. Blay concluded by urging stakeholders to translate discussions at the conference into concrete actions that would advance local content and drive sustainable growth.
She congratulated the Petroleum Commission on its 15th anniversary and expressed optimism about the future of Ghana’s petroleum industry.
President John Dramani Mahama has officially cut the sod for the construction of a US$137…
President John Dramani Mahama has officially opened the 2026 Local Content Conference and Exhibition organised…
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has disclosed preliminary findings of alleged illegal payments and irregularities…
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced a mandatory health declaration requirement for all travellers…
Ghana has been thrown into mourning following the reported death of Charles Kofi Wayo, popularly…
Ghana's senior national football team, the Black Stars, will play both legs of their 2027…
This website uses cookies.