- Explorco Deepens Ties With Gbewaa Palace Ahead of Voltaian Basin Drilling Campaign
Explorco, the commercial subsidiary of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, has intensified stakeholder engagement in northern Ghana ahead of the next phase of the Voltaian Basin drilling campaign, signalling fresh momentum in the country’s long-running search for commercially viable onshore petroleum resources.
A high-level delegation from the company visited Tamale and Yendi last week for strategic engagements with traditional authorities and key state agencies as preparatory work advances on the Voltaian Basin Project, also known as GH-VB-01.
The delegation was led by Explorco’s Deputy Managing Director for Technical, Abdul-Mumin Abukari Iddris, who represented the company’s Managing Director, Samuel Opoku Arthur.
At the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, the team briefed the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abukari II, on the progress of the Voltaian Basin Project and the company’s roadmap toward active drilling.
Mr Iddris announced that Explorco had mobilised a dedicated Project Management Team to oversee the next phase of the campaign, a move that marks the transition from preparatory studies to field operations.
He informed the King that the area is expected to see increased activity in the coming period, including the mobilisation of additional personnel and heavy equipment as the company prepares to drill its first exploration well in the basin.
The Voltaian Basin is Ghana’s most important onshore petroleum frontier, spanning about one-third of the country’s landmass. Its development is viewed as a strategic part of the country’s ambition to expand domestic energy resources and reduce long-term dependence on imported petroleum products.
Explorco said its latest engagement with the Gbewaa Palace reflects the company’s recognition of traditional authority as a critical partner in community alignment, land access and social licence for petroleum exploration.
The company also reaffirmed its support for the New Gbewaa Palace Project, describing the contribution as a tangible demonstration of its commitment to community development.
“This contribution to the New Palace Project is a tangible expression of Explorco’s commitment to community development and a testament to our belief that corporate success is inseparable from the prosperity of our host regions,” the company said.
Explorco noted that it sees the Gbewaa Palace not only as a traditional seat of authority, but also as a centre of social cohesion and regional advancement.
“We recognise the Gbewaa Palace as more than just a seat of authority; it is a vital catalyst for social cohesion and regional advancement. By supporting this landmark infrastructure, we are investing in the heart of Dagbon’s heritage, ensuring that a modernised traditional centre serves as the foundation for the unity and stability necessary to drive sustained economic growth throughout the kingdom,” it added.
Before the palace engagement, the Explorco team held discussions with the Lands Commission and the Minerals Commission on the operational and legal requirements needed to support the upcoming drilling phase.
The discussions focused on streamlining land access processes for drilling sites and base camp locations, while identifying access roads for the safe transport of heavy equipment. The company said the objective is to minimise disruption to local residents, communities and farmlands as field operations expand.
Mr Iddris said Explorco’s approach is anchored in partnership, regulatory alignment and a “Ghanaians-first” strategy that feeds into the company’s local content and social performance commitments.
“Our presence in Yendi ensures that traditional authorities and regulatory bodies are fully aligned with our roadmap. By integrating local expertise and ensuring transparent land acquisition, we are building a project that benefits both the national economy and the local community,” he said.
The coming drilling campaign will be closely watched by policymakers, investors and local communities because of its potential implications for Ghana’s petroleum future.
For decades, Ghana’s commercial petroleum production has been concentrated offshore, particularly around the Jubilee, TEN and Sankofa fields. A successful onshore discovery in the Voltaian Basin would significantly alter the country’s petroleum map, open a new exploration frontier and create fresh opportunities for local content participation, logistics, infrastructure and regional economic activity.
But the next phase will also test Explorco’s ability to manage community expectations, land access, environmental safeguards and operational logistics across a large and sensitive onshore terrain.
For communities in the project area, the promise of petroleum exploration brings expectations of jobs, infrastructure, training and local business opportunities. For the state, the Voltaian Basin represents a strategic frontier in the search for energy security and future production replacement.
Explorco’s latest engagements suggest that the project is entering a more practical and visible phase. With a project management team now in place and stakeholder alignment underway, the focus is shifting from technical preparation to execution on the ground.
The success of that transition will depend not only on geology and drilling outcomes, but also on the strength of community trust, regulatory coordination and the company’s ability to deliver tangible benefits while managing exploration risks.
