Ghana is ramping up efforts to unlock more of its oil and gas potential, with President John Dramani Mahama announcing plans to drill two new exploration wells by the end of the third quarter of 2026.
The move, spearheaded by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and its exploration arm, Explorco, was revealed during the Africa Oil Week Summit, where Mahama positioned the initiative as a major leap toward boosting Ghana’s energy independence and attracting foreign investment.
“Ghana, like many African countries, has vast unlicensed acreages across both offshore and onshore basins,” Mahama said. “The onshore Voltaian Basin, in particular, stands out as one of the most exciting frontiers on the continent.”
According to Mr.Mahama, preparations for drilling are already underway, and the upcoming wells are expected to not only bolster Ghana’s energy security but also open the door to new partnerships with international energy firms. He called on global investors to take advantage of what he described as a “unique opportunity” to tap into Ghana’s underexplored onshore reserves.
The planned exploration signals Ghana’s ambition to become a key player in West Africa’s upstream petroleum sector. While much of the region’s oil narrative has centered on offshore discoveries, this project brings renewed attention to the potential lying beneath the country’s onshore territories.
If successful, the drilling campaign could reshape Ghana’s energy landscape — and its standing in the global energy conversation.
