Georgetown: Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, Tuesday morning, met with a high-level Ghanaian delegation here to engage the Government on areas of mutual interest in the oil and gas sector. The team was led by Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Deputy Minister (Petroleum) Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam and included Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana, Mr. Napoleon Abdulai and 15 others.
The team later paid a courtesy call on Minister of State, Mrs. Dawn Hastings-Williams, who was accompanied by Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman.
During the meeting with the team Dr. Bynoe, who was accompanied by Oil and Gas Advisor, Mr. Matthew Wilks and Project Co-coordinator and Legal Advisor in the Department of Energy, Ms. Joanna Simmons, said the delegation was visiting during a most interesting time in Guyana’s evolution.
“I think anybody who says Guyana is not the hottest place to be and I am not speaking about climatologically but in terms of what we have found thus far in the oil and gas sector would not be lying. It’s a time in which also, we are keen to ensure that as a Department though young…we seek as best we can to ensure that these resources are managed in an efficient manner and an effective manner for all of Guyana,” he said.
Dr. Bynoe noted too that the Department does not underestimate the momentous task ahead and it continues to seek for partnerships to ensure that it obtains the best value for the nation. “We do not pretend to have all the answers to all the challenges that are before us, but we are very much positioned and we are keen to learn from others; the good, the not so good and even the indifferent experiences so we do not have to trod the same path which others may have trod before us,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Adam said he was pleased for the opportunity to discuss issues relative to co-operation with the Department. “We are bound by so many factors [that] unites us because as you know, the …formation in your offshore bases is analogous to what we have in Ghana. So it’s not surprising that Exxon, which is here, has also entered Ghana and so we are united by so many factors and …will be able to leverage that for the benefit of the people of our two countries,” he said.
Additionally, during the delegation’s meeting with the Ministers of State and Natural Resources, during a Cabinet break, they discussed areas of collaboration particularly in the areas of mining, oil and gas, capacity building and training in the oil and gas sector, forestry and timber production.
Minister Hastings-Williams said that the two countries share similar characteristics and sectors and can therefore look to each other for best practices, expertise and guidance where the need exists.
The Minister of State also noted that the Government of Guyana is serious about youth empowerment and would therefore welcome insight on initiatives that are geared at youth particularly through science and technology.
Dr. Adam echoed similar sentiments, noting that Guyana and Ghana have shared strong ties since 1957 and he is looking forward to taking same to a higher level of collaboration.
“We would be happy to take it to a different level of diplomacy. We have so many things that unites us… we are here to share our experiences and also learn from you,” he said.
Technical Advisor at Ghana’s Ministry of Energy, Mr. Edwin Provencal Director of Programmes at the Office of the President (Ghana), Ms. Nana Ama Ntim; Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Dr K.K Sarpong, Manager of Sustainability -Ghana National Petroleum Corporation Patrick Ofori, CEO (Ag) Petroleum Commission – Ghana Egbert Faibille Jnr, CEO Ghana Gas Dr Ben Asante and Managing Partner, Cromwell Gray LLP Kissi Agyebeng and others also attended the meeting.
The meetings were held at the Ministry of the Presidency.
You must be logged in to post a comment.