Energy and Green Transition Minister Dr John Abdulai Jinapor has called for a stronger focus on ensuring that investments in Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector translate into jobs, stronger local businesses and technology transfer.

According to him, attracting investment alone is not enough, arguing that the country must ensure that petroleum investments generate lasting value for the Ghanaian economy.

Addressing participants at Ghana Day during Africa Oil Week 2026, the Minister said the government’s definition of in-country value goes beyond ownership to include Ghanaian jobs, stronger local companies, skills development, technology transfer and infrastructure capable of supporting the wider economy.

“Our focus must therefore move beyond ownership alone to genuine capacity, competitiveness and value addition,” he said.

John Abdulai Jinapor stressed that every Ghanaian employed, every capable Ghanaian company integrated into the petroleum supply chain and every technology successfully transferred would strengthen the national economy.

He called for stronger collaboration among government, regulators, investors, Ghanaian businesses, financial institutions and academia to maximise the opportunities in Ghana’s petroleum sector.

“Ghana does not simply want more investment. We want the right investment: investment that develops our people, strengthens our businesses, creates opportunities for our youth and supports Ghana’s development priorities,” he said.