President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Explorco, the exploration subsidiary of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), will commence onshore drilling activities in the Voltaian Basin before the end of 2026 as part of efforts to determine the commercial viability of petroleum resources in the Volta Region
The President made the announcement on Thursday during the sod-cutting ceremony for Phase Two of the Sentuo Oil Refinery project in Tema.
According to President Mahama, the Voltaian Basin has been identified as a region with significant petroleum potential, and the planned drilling programme marks an important step towards expanding Ghana’s hydrocarbon resource base beyond its existing offshore oil fields.
He said the exploration exercise forms part of government’s broader strategy to strengthen the country’s energy sector, enhance domestic resource development and improve long-term energy security.
President Mahama also highlighted the significance of the ongoing expansion of the Sentuo Oil Refinery, describing it as a major investment that will boost Ghana’s petroleum refining capacity.
He noted that upon completion, the refinery’s processing capacity will increase from 40,000 barrels per day to 100,000 barrels per day, enabling the country to refine more petroleum products locally and reduce dependence on imported refined fuels.
The President expressed confidence that the combined investments in petroleum exploration and refining would contribute to economic growth, create employment opportunities and reinforce Ghana’s position as a key player in the region’s energy industry.
