The Minority in Parliament is demanding credit for the Akufo-Addo administration over the recent commercial oil discoveries at Eban and Akoma in the Cape Three Points Block 4, dismissing claims by the current government that the milestone reflects its policies.
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition had, in a statement dated Friday July 4, 2025, described the commercial declaration as a testament to the Mahama administration’s commitment to developing Ghana’s hydrocarbon resources.
However, the Minority says the claims are misleading and a distortion of facts.
Addressing the media in Parliament on Monday, July 7, former Deputy Energy Minister, Collins Adomako Mensah labelled the statement by the Energy Ministry as misleading and dishonest.
According to Mr. Adomako Mensah, both discoveries were made under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government, as a result of deliberate policies and approvals aimed at boosting Ghana’s oil and gas reserves.
“The attention of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament has been drawn to a statement issued by the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition dated 4th July, 2025.
The said statement with the subject: DECLARATIONOF COMMERCIALITY FOR EBAN-AKOMA DISCOVERIES MARKS MAJOR MILESTONE IN GHANA’S UPSTREAM PETROLEUM SECTOR represents a failed and shambolic attempt to credit the Mahama administration with success it has no hand in.”
He explained that Italian oil giant Eni drilled the Akoma-1X well in 2019 after receiving approval from the Petroleum Commission under the NPP administration, leading to the discovery of gas and condensate.
In 2021, he said, Eni made another significant discovery at the Eban-1X well, further boosting Ghana’s hydrocarbon potential.
Mr. Adomako Mensah stated that the NPP government granted approval for Eni to undertake a joint appraisal programme of the two discoveries in 2022, which has now culminated in the declaration of commerciality by the company.
He insisted that the Mahama administration, which has been in office for only a few months, had no involvement in the drilling, discoveries, or appraisal processes that led to the current development.
A portion of the statement noted, “Let the Mahama administration take note that these 7 discoveries cannot be ‘appropriated’ by it as having occurred under its watch. The NPP’s record in the development of Ghana’s hydrocarbon resources is one that is enviable and evidenced by reforms to the upstream sector’s fiscal regime from the Kufuor-Aliu Mahama administration and the historic discoveries under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration.”
The Minority has warned the government against distorting facts for political gain, urging it to acknowledge the work done under the previous administration that made the Eban-Akoma commercial declaration possible.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
