The overlord of Dagbon Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II is certain that GNPC Explorco will hit oil in commercial quantities as it begins its next phase of exploration activities at the Voltaian Basin.
The Voltaian Basin spans about 460 communities in 13 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs), 10 of which are in the Northern Region, with three others located in the Savanna Region.
President Mahama announced last week at the Africa Oil Week event in Accra that GNPC and Explorco are inching closer to drilling two exploration wells by the end of the third quarter of 2026.
According to Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II, this attempt to uncover hydrocarbons in commercial quantities in Northern Ghana will be a reality and a move that will be the game changer especially for Ghanaians in the North.
“You come to us at a time when Ghana’s energy future is being shaped, and the possibility that our northern lands might contribute to the nation’s petroleum resources is both exciting and significant,” he noted.
The Dagbon overlord added that “for generations, our region has been blessed with agricultural abundance, rich cultural heritage and the prospect that we might also be blessed with oil reserves underground adds a new chapter to our story of resource endowment”.
Addressing the board and management of Explorco who paid a courtesy call on him at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, the Yaa Naa pledged to provide the team all the support they will need in their next exploration phase as he did in their previous activities to make the dream of making the Northern region a potential petroleum hub, a reality.
“Today as you prepare to embark on more extensive drilling activities to assess the viability of oil wells in our region, you have our continued blessings and full support,” he said.
The visit was among other things to introduce the board and management of Explorco to the King and to announce to him that Explorco is now leading exploration activities on the Voltaian Basin Project.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of GNPC, Explorco operates with growing technical capability, fiscal discipline, and a vision to drive the nation’s upstream petroleum ambitions by leveraging exploration and production expertise.
The Explorco delegation, led by the Board Chairman, Dr. Aaron Issa Anafure confirmed President Mahama’s announcement of drilling two exploratory wells by the end of the third quarter 2026 and assured the King the board is bent on ensuring it happens.
“This is a new Explorco, and we want to assure you that our second coming is to reset Explorco and it will not be like before. This is a very serious mission,” the board chairman asserted.
Dr. Anafure assured the Yaa Naa on behalf of the board, management and staff of Explorco that everything possible will be done to achieve the mandate handed Explorco to lead exploration and production in the Voltarian Basin.
He told the Yaa Naa solid partnership from his kingdom and the people of the Northen region is what Explorco requires at this juncture to carry through its mission to find hydrocarbons for Ghana in commercial quantities.
Dr. Issa Anafure said, “the face-lift in terms of development the Northen region will witness is the reason all hands must be on deck under a peaceful atmosphere and offer the needed support to Explorco to make history”.
The Explorco Board chairman again noted when Explorco is successful in discovering oil, the rural-urban migration the Northern part of Ghana continues to witness will be a thing of the past because of the many employment opportunities this will offer.
“This is a new Explorco and your majesty, we really mean business,” Dr. Anafure added.
The delegation, which included the Managing Director of Explorco, Samuel Opoku Arthur was at the Yaa Naa’s palace in Yendi to also update him on the next phase of their campaign to find hydrocarbons in commercial quantities.
The Explorco delegation included two board members, Hon. Benjamin Narteh Ayiku and Madam Stella Bondzie and Deputy Managing Director (Technical) Iddris Abukari Abdul-Mumin.
Other management members and staff were also part of the delegation.
Hon. Benjamin Narteh Ayiku is a Ghanaian politician and a prominent member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He currently serves as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ledzokuku Constituency (Teshie) in the Greater Accra Region. In August 2025, he was appointed to the Board of GNPC Explorco.
Key Strengths
Beyond his constituency, he serves on several influential parliamentary committees, including Security and Intelligence, Economy and Development, and Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, indicating a well-rounded expertise in national governance.
Ayiku has prioritized local safety through his "Light Up Teshie" efforts, donating and installing over 2,000 streetlights across the constituency to curb nighttime criminal activities. He has also focused on road rehabilitation projects to improve accessibility for residents.
Experience
Hon. Benjamin Narteh Ayiku has a diverse background spanning the corporate sector, entrepreneurship, and public service.
Current External Roles
Hon. Benjamin Narteh Ayiku holds several key external and governance roles beyond his duties as the Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku:
Kwame Ntow Amoah joined GNPC as acting chief executive officer on February 17, 2025. In August 2025, The Energy Minister appointed him as a Board Member of GNPC Explorco.
Key Strengths
Kwame Ntow Amoah has over 33 years of experience in the petroleum industry with a wealth of expertise in leadership, energy economics, public and corporate policy, strategy development, finance raising, and negotiations.
Experience
Throughout his career, Mr. Amoah has held key leadership roles, including Deputy Chief Executive at GNPC and Advisor to the Minister of Energy/Director of Petroleum at the Ministry of Energy. He has also served as Chairman and Member of various national, international, and industry boards and committees. Mr. Amoah has played a pivotal role in international arbitration cases involving Ghana. His contributions include serving as Technical Advisor for Ghana in the Maritime Boundary Case, which the country won on September 23, 2017.
Current External Roles
In August 2025, The Energy Minister appointed Samuel Opoku Arthur as a Board Member of GNPC Explorco.
Key Strengths
15+ years in energy sector operations, commercial strategy, and project development, coordinating exploration planning, stakeholder engagement, and execution of large frontier projects.
Experience
A senior energy and commercial executive with 25+ years of experience across oil and gas, power, mining, and industry in Ghana. He served as Director of Petroleum at the Ministry of Energy & Green Transition in 2025 and previously spent over 12 years at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation in strategic and gas business leadership roles. His earlier career includes commercial and operational positions with INSYSS Ghana Ltd, Lancaster Plant Ltd, Metso Minerals, and ExxonMobil Corporation.
Current External Roles
Serves as the Managing Director for GNPC Explorco.
In August 2025, The Energy Minister appointed Dr. Anafure as the Board Chairman of GNPC Explorco.
Key Strengths
Dr Aaron Issah Anafure is an accomplished insurance professional with extensive credentials and achievements.
Experience
Previously, he served as CEO of SIC Life and CDH Life Insurance Company Limited, and was instrumental in founding SIC Life Savings and Loans. Under his leadership, the company won the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIMG) Life category award five times and was inducted into the CIMG Hall of Fame in 2018.
Current External Roles
CEO - Quality Life Assurance Company (QLAC).
Seth Kwame Boateng is a multi-award-winning Ghanaian journalist and documentary filmmaker who brings over two decades of impact storytelling to corporate communications. His work has shaped national conversations and led to major public-interest reforms through powerful investigative films such as Locked and Forgotten, Left to Rot, and Next to Die.
As Head of Corporate Affairs, Seth leads stakeholder engagement, media relations, and ESG communications—delivering clear, credible messaging that builds trust with communities, regulators, and partners.
He is the recipient of several prestigious honours, including:
Seth holds an MPH in Health Management Planning & Policy from the University of Leeds, an MA in Communication Studies from the University of Ghana, an MA in Conflict, Peace & Security from KAIPTC, and a BA in Economics & Sociology from the University of Cape Coast.
The overlord of Dagbon Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II is certain that GNPC Explorco will hit oil in commercial quantities as it begins its next phase of exploration activities at the Voltaian Basin.
The Voltaian Basin spans about 460 communities in 13 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs), 10 of which are in the Northern Region, with three others located in the Savanna Region.
President Mahama announced last week at the Africa Oil Week event in Accra that GNPC and Explorco are inching closer to drilling two exploration wells by the end of the third quarter of 2026.
According to Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II, this attempt to uncover hydrocarbons in commercial quantities in Northern Ghana will be a reality and a move that will be the game changer especially for Ghanaians in the North.
“You come to us at a time when Ghana’s energy future is being shaped, and the possibility that our northern lands might contribute to the nation’s petroleum resources is both exciting and significant,” he noted.
The Dagbon overlord added that “for generations, our region has been blessed with agricultural abundance, rich cultural heritage and the prospect that we might also be blessed with oil reserves underground adds a new chapter to our story of resource endowment”.
Addressing the board and management of Explorco who paid a courtesy call on him at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, the Yaa Naa pledged to provide the team all the support they will need in their next exploration phase as he did in their previous activities to make the dream of making the Northern region a potential petroleum hub, a reality.
“Today as you prepare to embark on more extensive drilling activities to assess the viability of oil wells in our region, you have our continued blessings and full support,” he said.
The visit was among other things to introduce the board and management of Explorco to the King and to announce to him that Explorco is now leading exploration activities on the Voltaian Basin Project.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of GNPC, Explorco operates with growing technical capability, fiscal discipline, and a vision to drive the nation’s upstream petroleum ambitions by leveraging exploration and production expertise.
The Explorco delegation, led by the Board Chairman, Dr. Aaron Issa Anafure confirmed President Mahama’s announcement of drilling two exploratory wells by the end of the third quarter 2026 and assured the King the board is bent on ensuring it happens.
“This is a new Explorco, and we want to assure you that our second coming is to reset Explorco and it will not be like before. This is a very serious mission,” the board chairman asserted.
Dr. Anafure assured the Yaa Naa on behalf of the board, management and staff of Explorco that everything possible will be done to achieve the mandate handed Explorco to lead exploration and production in the Voltarian Basin.
He told the Yaa Naa solid partnership from his kingdom and the people of the Northen region is what Explorco requires at this juncture to carry through its mission to find hydrocarbons for Ghana in commercial quantities.
Dr. Issa Anafure said, “the face-lift in terms of development the Northen region will witness is the reason all hands must be on deck under a peaceful atmosphere and offer the needed support to Explorco to make history”.
The Explorco Board chairman again noted when Explorco is successful in discovering oil, the rural-urban migration the Northern part of Ghana continues to witness will be a thing of the past because of the many employment opportunities this will offer.
“This is a new Explorco and your majesty, we really mean business,” Dr. Anafure added.
The delegation, which included the Managing Director of Explorco, Samuel Opoku Arthur was at the Yaa Naa’s palace in Yendi to also update him on the next phase of their campaign to find hydrocarbons in commercial quantities.
The Explorco delegation included two board members, Hon. Benjamin Narteh Ayiku and Madam Stella Bondzie and Deputy Managing Director (Technical) Iddris Abukari Abdul-Mumin.
Other management members and staff were also part of the delegation.