President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana will begin onshore oil drilling in the Voltaian Basin before the end of 2026, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to expand petroleum exploration beyond its offshore oil fields.
The President made the announcement during the sod-cutting ceremony for Phase Two of the Sentuo Oil Refinery Project in Tema, where he outlined government’s plans to strengthen Ghana’s energy sector and increase domestic petroleum production.
According to President Mahama, Explorco, the exploration subsidiary of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has been tasked with commencing drilling activities in the Voltaian Basin to determine the commercial viability of petroleum deposits identified in the area.
He noted that geological studies conducted over the years indicate that the Voltaian Basin possesses significant hydrocarbon potential, and the planned drilling programme will provide critical data needed to assess whether commercially recoverable oil reserves exist.
The President described the project as a strategic step toward diversifying Ghana’s petroleum resource base, reducing reliance on offshore production, and strengthening the country’s long-term energy security.
He further explained that successful exploration in the Voltaian Basin could unlock new investment opportunities, create employment for Ghanaians, stimulate economic activity in surrounding communities, and increase government revenue through future oil production.
President Mahama reiterated his administration’s commitment to expanding Ghana’s energy infrastructure while ensuring that natural resources are developed responsibly and in a manner that delivers lasting benefits to citizens.
Officials from the Ministry of Energy and GNPC say the exploration programme will involve detailed geological assessments, drilling operations, and technical evaluations before any commercial production decisions are made.
Energy analysts believe that if commercially viable reserves are discovered, the Voltaian Basin could become Ghana’s first major onshore petroleum-producing region, complementing existing offshore fields such as Jubilee, TEN, and Sankofa.
The announcement comes as government intensifies efforts to revive the petroleum sector through increased exploration, investment, and downstream infrastructure development aimed at positioning Ghana as a stronger energy producer in West Africa.
