MTN Ghana in collaboration with Pard Energy, a Norwegian based Energy Company, has organized a one day workshop to discuss and explore the prospects of providing broadband network services to oil companies operating offshore in Ghana. The workshop was aimed at creating awareness of the technological opportunities and potential of converged broadband data and voice services for the offshore oil Industry in Ghana. It also discussed expertise in data and voice services as well as petroleum-related value added services which will be required by companies in the energy sector when Ghana begins to produce oil. The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Brett Goschen stated that as the leader in Ghana's telecommunications industry, MTN is always working to identify needs and develop innovative ways to provide the best telecommunications services which meet the demands of emerging markets in support of development. Mr. Goschen said, "We intend to build and operate offshore broadband network infrastructure specifically for the petroleum industry in Ghana including the oil companies, their supply industry, and engineering companies, R & D institutions and governmental authorities to improve productivity and efficiency, reduce cost and enhance service quality and safety of people.” The Deputy Minister of Communications, Gideon Quarcoo, said the broadband service has come at a time that the government is undertaking a review of the national ICT for Development Policy to include elements of Broadband policy, digital mapping, cyber security, and among others green ICT. He said this among other things will turn Ghana into a major player in Global tele and data communications. Mr Quarcoo said by the first quarter of this year, Ghana achieved a 67% telephone penetration with over 15 million telephone subscriptions. Mr Trygve Tamburstuen co-founder of Pard Energy was upbeat about the discovery of oil in Ghana, which he said would be a blessing to the nation. He said his company entered into the partnership to operate in Ghana because of stable democracy, strong economic development, advanced business society, good telecom infrastructure, supportive government and good labour force. Story by Isaac Essel,Myjoyonline.com,Ghana