Parliament’s Select Committee on Energy has appealed to the Ministry of Finance to release GH¢5.6 million for the establishment and operation of a Petroleum Commission data centre to strengthen the management of Ghana’s upstream oil and gas information.
The Committee says the proposed facility would improve the Commission’s ability to manage critical petroleum data as Ghana seeks to revive investment and increase crude oil production.
The appeal was made during a working visit to the Commission as part of Parliament’s oversight of institutions operating in the energy sector.
Bedzrah Pushes for Increased Oil Production
Committee Chairman Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah said improved access to petroleum data was essential to efforts to attract investment and strengthen industry regulation.
He noted that Ghana had experienced declining hydrocarbon production and investment in recent years.
According to him, Parliament’s approval of an extension of a petroleum agreement to 2030 had attracted additional funding and contributed to production increasing from about 80,000 to 120,000 barrels per day.
The Committee also raised concerns about repeated allocations for oil exploration in the Voltaian Basin.
Mr Bedzrah said future funding requests must be supported by clear evidence of progress, stressing that approved expenditure should produce tangible results.
Petroleum Commission Cites Fresh Investment Commitments
Petroleum Commission Chief Executive Officer Emeafa Hardcastle briefed lawmakers on the Commission’s mandate to regulate, manage and coordinate upstream petroleum activities.
She said government had pursued measures since 2025 to reverse declining crude oil output and make Ghana more attractive to petroleum investors.
Ms Hardcastle also reported that government had secured approximately US$35 billion in fresh commitments to help revitalise the upstream industry.
The Committee is expected to continue its oversight exercise with visits to the National Petroleum Authority and Ghana Oil Company Limited.
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