Tullow Ghana Limited has organized a two-day capacity building seminar on the theme ‘Joint Venture and Permitting’ for indigenous Ghanaian companies in the oil and gas industry at the Labadi Beach Hotel.

The seminar aimed at building the capacity of indigenous companies to competitively produce and supply goods and services to meet international standards, as well as build local skills and develop the Ghanaian workforce to make them marketable in Ghana and internationally.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the seminar, Local Content Manager at Tullow Ghana, Jennifer Bruce-Konuah, stated, “our supplier development initiatives are aimed at developing an industry run by nationals through training, knowledge transfer and employment. Also, we are supporting local businesses to enter the oil and gas supply chain sector, either directly as suppliers to International Oil Companies (IOCs) or through the formation of effective partnerships with experienced international companies.”

She indicated that between 2013 and now, Tullow has engaged and impacted over 1400 local businesses through its supplier development initiatives.

According to Ms. Jennifer, “Tullow Ghana’s 2019 target is to achieve 80% of contract commitments with local business participation and also achieve a 25% spend specifically with indigenous companies,” adding that, “between 2010-2018, US$10.66bn out of a total of US$16.4bn worth of contracts were awarded to indigenous and joint venture companies with indigenous equity participation.”

Earlier, a rep from the Petroleum Commission, who spoke at the seminar, indicated that they have increased their monitoring of joint venture companies in the industry. The Commission stated: “We want to see that the Ghanaian company has entered into an arrangement with a foreign company has staff that has been employed and there is some skill being transferred to the local staff. If it is in the area of technology, for instance, we are interested in how they envisaging to take over or to learn that technology so that they be equipped and stand on their own.”

The Commission added that it is currently creating awareness that indigenous Ghanaian companies on their own can bid for contracts.

The ‘Joint Venture & Permitting’ Seminar by Tullow Ghana Limited was attended by JLD & MB Law Firm, Invest in Africa and indigenous Ghanaian companies.