The newly appointed Board of Directors of the GNPC Foundation has been officially inaugurated by the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Honourable John Abdulai Jinapor, MP, in a ceremony that signalled a renewed commitment to aligning Ghana’s petroleum wealth with tangible community development.
The Board, chaired by Prof. Dr. Albert Kwaku Akpalu, brings together seasoned leaders with diverse expertise in academia, law, governance, business, and public service.
Members include Ms. Helga J. M. Boadi, Mr. Kwame Ntow Amoah, Mr. Yaw Boateng Gyan, Lawyer Naa Ayorkor Gyaama Cato-Brown, Prof. Patience Abor, and Hon. Alhassan Umar, MP.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Jinapor emphasised the importance of the Foundation’s mandate in driving high-impact development initiatives.
He charged the Board to pursue a bold agenda of transparency, accountability, and strategic alignment with Ghana’s national priorities.
“Under the vision of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, the Foundation continues to play a vital role in ensuring that petroleum resources directly benefit our people.”
Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister of Energy and Green Transition
He further congratulated the members and urged them to position GNPC as a model of socially responsible energy development.
“I charge you to uphold transparency, inclusivity, and excellence in delivering on your mandate.
“I wish you well as you work to deepen the impact of the GNPC Foundation in transforming lives and communities across Ghana.”
Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister of Energy and Green Transition
Strategic Focus Areas
The Minister outlined key priorities for the Board, stressing the need for the Foundation to align its projects with GNPC’s corporate strategy and the broader national development agenda.
The areas of focus include: enhancing education and skills training, expanding healthcare infrastructure, empowering local economies, and strengthening social resilience in oil-producing communities.
According to him, the Foundation must deliver measurable outcomes that go beyond one-off interventions to create lasting transformation.
“Communities must not only see the impact but must feel it in ways that improve livelihoods, expand opportunities, and build resilience for the future.”
Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister of Energy and Green Transition
The appointment of Prof. Akpalu as Board Chair was widely welcomed, given his distinguished track record in academia and leadership. His vision, coupled with the expertise of the other members, is expected to chart a new direction for the Foundation.
Madam Helga J. M. Boadi, CEO of the GNPC Foundation, also joins the Board, bringing deep institutional knowledge to the leadership team.
Her stewardship of the Foundation has seen significant investments in scholarships, health facilities, and community development projects across the country.
In addition, the inclusion of Mr. Kwame Ntow Amoah, CEO of GNPC, strengthens the alignment between the Corporation’s operational strategy and its social investment arm.
Other members, Prof. Abor, Mr. Gyan, Lawyer Cato-Brown, and Hon. Umar represent a blend of perspectives that will enhance the Board’s ability to respond to complex social and developmental challenges.
Restoring Trust through Transparency
For years, public scrutiny has heightened around the use of petroleum revenues in Ghana. The new Board’s mandate, therefore, carries an added weight: to restore trust through transparency and inclusive stakeholder engagement.
Hon. Jinapor stressed that measurable outcomes, regular reporting, and open communication with communities would be essential to rebuilding confidence in the GNPC Foundation’s work.
“Transparency must underpin every project and every cedi spent.
“This is how the Foundation can demonstrate that it is truly a vehicle for transforming lives.”
Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister of Energy and Green Transition
The GNPC Foundation has historically invested in areas such as education scholarships, health infrastructure, skills training, and community support programmes.
With the new Board, there is optimism that these interventions will become more strategic, scalable, and impactful.
The inauguration of the Board comes at a time when Ghana is seeking to maximise the benefits of its natural resources, while addressing pressing social and economic challenges.
With its new leadership, the Foundation is expected to reset its agenda and prioritise initiatives that not only respond to immediate needs but also prepare communities for long-term sustainability.
The coming months will reveal how the Board translates its mandate into action, and whether the GNPC Foundation can emerge as a model for how energy companies in Africa can leverage corporate social investment for national transformation.
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