The former Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Ernest Thompson, has been appointed Chairman of the reconstituted board of the Ghana Petroleum Commission.

He will work with six other members to steer the affairs of the Commission.

The members include Chief Executive, Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle; Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Crisler Akwei Ankrah, Joseph Kwasi Mensah, Dr. Hasiyatu Abubakari, and Hassan Thompson Osman.

Inaugurating the board, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, highlighted the challenges facing the upstream petroleum sector, citing recent arbitrations, declining investments, and dwindling oil and gas reserves.

He noted that, in line with the President’s vision, government has begun processes to amend existing laws and regulations to introduce flexibility in the fiscal regime, as well as enhance predictability and transparency in the industry.