President Mahama announces onshore drilling in Voltaian Basin

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Explorco, the exploration subsidiary of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), will commence onshore drilling in the Voltaian Basin before the end of 2026 as part of government's strategy to determine the commercial viability of petroleum resources in the basin and strengthen Ghana's long-term energy security.

The President made the announcement while cutting the sod for Phase Two of the Sentuo Oil Refinery Project in Tema on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

According to President Mahama, the Voltaian Basin has long been identified as an area with significant petroleum potential, and the planned drilling campaign marks a major milestone in Ghana's efforts to diversify its hydrocarbon resources beyond the country's established offshore oil fields.

"Explorco, the exploration subsidiary of GNPC, will commence onshore drilling in the Voltaian Basin before the end of 2026 to assess the commercial viability of the basin's petroleum deposits," the President announced.

He said the initiative forms part of a broader agenda to expand domestic energy production, attract investment into the upstream petroleum sector, and strengthen Ghana's energy resilience.

Speaking on the Sentuo Oil Refinery expansion, President Mahama described the project as a key pillar of the country's industrialisation and energy transformation agenda.

He noted that Phase Two of the refinery will increase its crude oil processing capacity from 40,000 barrels per day to 100,000 barrels per day upon completion, significantly enhancing Ghana's petroleum refining capacity and reducing dependence on imported refined petroleum products.

"The future of our economy belongs to nations that move beyond the export of raw materials and embrace value addition," President Mahama said, adding that the refinery expansion aligns with government's vision of building a more industrialised, self-reliant economy through strategic investments in value-added industries.

He expressed confidence that the combined investments in petroleum exploration and refining would position Ghana as a stronger player in the regional energy market while creating jobs, boosting local industries and improving the country's energy security.