By, Sarah Baafi
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that EXPLORCO, the exploration and production subsidiary of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), will begin onshore oil drilling in the Voltarian Basin before the end of 2026.
Speaking at the launch of the second phase expansion of the Sentuo Oil Refinery in Tema on June 25, 2026. President Mahama said the initiative marks a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to expand oil exploration activities beyond offshore fields.
“I’m also happy to report that EXPLORCO, which is the operating arm of GNPC, is poised to begin onshore drilling in the Voltarian Basin before the end of this year,” he said.
The President explained that while Ghana’s commercial oil discoveries have largely been made offshore, preliminary assessments indicate promising prospects within the Voltarian Basin.
“And when I say onshore, it means on land. Offshore. So far, all our discoveries have been offshore, in the deep. We’ve discovered a lot of potential onshore, and so, GNPC is ready to start drilling wells to explore that oil before the end of this year,” he stated.
The planned drilling programme forms part of government’s broader strategy to strengthen the energy sector and maximize value from Ghana’s natural resources.
According to President Mahama, the country’s long-term goal is to move beyond the export of raw materials and focus on local processing and value addition.
“The reset is about repositioning Ghana from a nation that primarily exports raw materials to one that processes, manufactures, refines, and creates value within its own borders,” he said.
He added that, government remains committed to building an energy sector that is “productive, competitive, resilient, and globally relevant.”
The Voltarian Basin has long been considered one of Ghana’s frontier petroleum exploration areas, with geological studies suggesting the possibility of hydrocarbon deposits. A successful drilling campaign could pave the way for the country’s first major onshore oil discovery.
President Mahama emphasized that increased local participation would be critical to the success of the project, stressing the need for skills development, technology transfer and partnerships with local institutions.
“We expect meaningful participation by Ghanaian companies throughout the value chain. We expect deliberate investment in skills development, and we expect the transfer of technology and expertise that will enable future generations of Ghanaians to lead and innovate within the energy sector,” he said.
If successful, the Voltarian Basin project could open a new chapter in Ghana’s petroleum industry and contribute to the country’s ambition of becoming a major processor and exporter of petroleum.
