AOW:Energy 2025 kicked off in Accra with a high-level Opening Night at the Presidency of Ghana, convening ministers, NOCs, IOCs, financiers, and service leaders to set the tone for a week of upstream growth and investment across Africa. Officially opened by H.E. John Dramani Mahama, the gala underscored Ghana’s commitment to partnership-led, responsible resource development and stronger regional cooperation.
The evening highlighted GNPC’s 40th Anniversary and Ghana’s ambition to leverage hydrocarbons for prosperity, with strong participation from partners including ExxonMobil. Remarks from the AOW:Energy leadership emphasized a shared vision of “partnership, progress, and prosperity” as the foundation for Africa’s next phase of upstream activity.
For Explorco, Day 1 was an opportunity to engage investors and peers ahead of the week’s strategic sessions—positioning Ghana’s portfolio within a continental agenda that prioritizes new exploration, local value creation, and bankable pathways from discovery to development. Ghana’s role as 2025 host further amplified investor attention on the market’s stability, regulatory clarity, and pipeline of opportunities.
With momentum firmly established on opening night, Explorco enters the conference program poised for focused dialogue on frontier prospects, appraisal campaigns, and collaborative models that align with Ghana’s long-term energy goals.
AOW Energy
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.
AOW:Energy 2025 kicked off in Accra with a high-level Opening Night at the Presidency of Ghana, convening ministers, NOCs, IOCs, financiers, and service leaders to set the tone for a week of upstream growth and investment across Africa. Officially opened by H.E. John Dramani Mahama, the gala underscored Ghana’s commitment to partnership-led, responsible resource development and stronger regional cooperation.
The evening highlighted GNPC’s 40th Anniversary and Ghana’s ambition to leverage hydrocarbons for prosperity, with strong participation from partners including ExxonMobil. Remarks from the AOW:Energy leadership emphasized a shared vision of “partnership, progress, and prosperity” as the foundation for Africa’s next phase of upstream activity.
For Explorco, Day 1 was an opportunity to engage investors and peers ahead of the week’s strategic sessions—positioning Ghana’s portfolio within a continental agenda that prioritizes new exploration, local value creation, and bankable pathways from discovery to development. Ghana’s role as 2025 host further amplified investor attention on the market’s stability, regulatory clarity, and pipeline of opportunities.
With momentum firmly established on opening night, Explorco enters the conference program poised for focused dialogue on frontier prospects, appraisal campaigns, and collaborative models that align with Ghana’s long-term energy goals.
AOW Energy