President John Dramani Mahama has officially announced a major new offshore oil and gas discovery, promising to significantly boost Ghana’s burgeoning energy sector. He made the announcement during his opening remarks at the 2026 Local Content Conference in Takoradi.
The discovery, made at the Nya Gyidie 9-1X well in the Deepwater Cape Trade Points contract area, is a significant milestone for Ghana. The exploration project was a collaborative effort between the energy giant Planet One Oil and Gas Ltd. and its partners, Goil Upstream Ltd. and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).
In a passionate declaration before conference attendees, President Mahama highlighted the determination of the consortium. “With ‘Nya Gyidie’, which means ‘faith’ in the local Twi language, they demonstrated unyielding faith and have now reaped the rewards with a major discovery,” he said.
“By drilling this well, Planet One and its partners not only fulfilled an exploration commitment but also demonstrated unwavering confidence in Ghana and our future research and development agenda.”
President Mahama characterised the Nya Gyidie finding as a groundbreaking geological success, describing it as the country’s first successful test of a Cenomanian-Turonian Carbonate-Clay play. This technical milestone opens up new potential for future offshore exploration in similar geological formations.
He noted that the discovery serves as a clear indicator of growing business confidence in response to reforms recently introduced into Ghana’s petroleum sector. According to President Mahama, it is critical for Ghana to continue attracting necessary investments to discover and develop new reserves while ensuring that local businesses and workers can effectively compete for a greater share of the industry’s opportunities.
“Our priority now is to accelerate responsible exploration and to swiftly put in place the crucial infrastructure Ghana needs to develop its petroleum resources sustainably,” President Mahama said. “We must turn these resources into tangible jobs and opportunities for Ghanaians and deliver lasting improvements in the lives of our people.”
The news of the discovery has been met with optimism within the Ghanaian energy industry, signalling a new chapter of growth and local participation in the oil and gas sector. The conference is expected to continue its focus on maximising local content and participation throughout the week.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.
