MINISTER FOR Energy, Matthew Opoku Prempeh aka Napo, has charged staff of government agencies within the energy sector to exhibit honest and credible characters in the discharge of their duties.
According to him, even though many people might not trust politicians, staff of government agencies must be seen to be “holy” and “patriotic” so as to protect the interest of the Ghanaian citizenry.
“The Petroleum Commission, the National Petroleum Authority, and all state agencies within the energy sector: people who work in these entities must be holier than holy. They must be more patriotic than the word patriotism. For the politician, even before someone enters your office, you’re already labeled,” the minister charged.
The minister made these assertions while delivering the keynote address at the launch of the annual Local Content Conference and Exhibition (LCCE) by the Petroleum Commission in Accra last Monday.
The minister also urged the commission and other agencies in the energy sector to protect the interests of indigenous Ghanaian entities, saying: “Never again must we hear that all contracts are going to specific entities.”
He also urged the commission to “upgrade” the LCCE to the continental level with experts and industry players from across the African continent.
This, he explained, would provide a bigger platform for the commission to exhibit indigenous products.
The minister used the opportunity to announce the establishment of an African Energy Bank, which he said would be announced in a matter of months.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Egbert Faibille, announced that this year’s LCCE would be the eighth edition since its inception and would be held in Takoradi in the Western Region between November 21 and 24 this year.
He underscored that: “this policy seeks to maximise the benefits of oil and gas activities for the ultimate benefit of Ghanaians with a recognition that such an approach is imperative to the realisation of government’s strategies for accelerated growth and poverty reduction.”