The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening local participation in the country’s oil and gas sector with the successful hosting of its maiden Vendor Engagement Seminar.
The event, held as part of GNPC’s 40th anniversary celebrations, brought together local businesses, suppliers, and vendors under the theme: “Promoting Local Content and Local Participation through Vendor Engagement.”
Opening the seminar, GNPC Chief Executive Officer, Kwame Ntow Amoah, underscored the strategic importance of local content to the corporation’s mission. “The theme of this engagement goes to the heart of GNPC’s mandate,” Mr. Amoah told participants.
“For us, Local Content is not merely a regulatory requirement.
“It is central to our strategy to grow together with local enterprises in a mutually beneficial partnership, ensuring our nation’s resources create real opportunities for our people, businesses, and communities.”
Kwame Ntow Amoah, GNPC Chief Executive Officer
He emphasized that GNPC’s procurement and operational strategies were being deliberately aligned to foster indigenous participation and build capacity for Ghanaian businesses in the oil and gas value chain.
The seminar aimed at strengthening relationships between GNPC and its suppliers, improving transparency, and creating a platform for dialogue around procurement processes.
It also highlighted the Corporation’s drive to foster sustainable supply chain partnerships while ensuring that Ghana’s hydrocarbon resources translate into tangible opportunities for local enterprises.
Importance of Compliance
One of the key sessions was a technical presentation on tender best practices, delivered by Barbara Afriyie-Owusu of GNPC’s Supply Chain and Local Content Development Department. She described compliance as the lifeline of successful contracting.
“Compliance is like oxygen you don’t always notice it, but you cannot survive long without it.
“Keep your documents ready, make your submissions responsive, and credibility will follow. Trust me, the contract will come.”
Barbara Afriyie-Owusu of GNPC’s Supply Chain and Local Content Development Department
Afriyie-Owusu noted that too many contractors fall into recurring pitfalls such as incomplete forms, missing pages, expired statutory certificates, late submissions, or incorrect file formats.
With GNPC’s tendering system now fully digital, she cautioned that excuses such as traffic delays or narrowly missed deadlines were no longer acceptable.
“The system automatically locks at closing time. Paying attention to deadlines, technical specifications, and compliance requirements ensures fairness in the process.
“GNPC’s doors are open to all, but only those who meet the requirements will succeed.”
Barbara Afriyie-Owusu of GNPC’s Supply Chain and Local Content Development Department
She further encouraged vendors to carefully review tender documents, seek clarifications early, and where necessary, engage professional assistance to ensure quality submissions.
The seminar also featured contributions from regulatory partners. The Petroleum Commission gave an overview of Ghana’s local content framework, highlighting the legal obligations and opportunities available to indigenous businesses.
The Public Procurement Authority (PPA) presented on the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS), encouraging vendors to leverage the digital platform to participate more efficiently in tenders.
Both agencies reiterated that stronger collaboration between government, regulators, and private businesses was essential to ensuring local capacity-building and equitable participation in Ghana’s energy sector.
GNPC Extends Opportunities to Local Businesses
On the sidelines of the event, Seidu Salim Braimah, Manager of the Supply Chain and Local Content Development Department, reaffirmed GNPC’s dedication to sourcing goods and services locally.
“GNPC is committed to ensuring that the communities where we operate benefit directly from our activities.
“We want vendors to see procurement not as a hurdle, but as a pathway to building trust, expanding opportunities, and strengthening Ghanaian participation in oil and gas.”
Seidu Salim Braimah, Manager of the Supply Chain and Local Content Development Department
He pointed to upcoming opportunities for indigenous companies, particularly in projects such as the Voltaian Basin development, where GNPC is looking to maximize local involvement.
The Vendor Engagement Seminar has been widely welcomed by stakeholders as a significant step toward promoting transparency and accountability in GNPC’s procurement processes, while also creating space for businesses to align with international best practices.
By placing emphasis on compliance, capacity-building, and partnership, GNPC has signaled that its 40th anniversary is not only about celebrating its past but also about charting a new course for the future.
With this inaugural seminar, GNPC has laid the groundwork for a deeper engagement with vendors and suppliers, marking the beginning of a more structured dialogue between the corporation and local businesses eager to play a bigger role in Ghana’s energy future.
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