Ghana delegation meets Energy Director, Minister of State

…discuss possible co-operation in oil and gas sector

Director of the Energy Department, Dr Mark Bynoe on Tuesday met with a high-level Ghanaian delegation here in Guyana to engage the Government on areas of mutual interest in the oil and gas sector.

The team was led by Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Energy In Charge of petroleum Dr Mohammed Amin Adam and included Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana, Napoleon Abdulai and 15 others.
The team later paid a courtesy call on Minister of State Dawn Hastings-Williams, who was accompanied by Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman.
During the meeting with the team, Dr Bynoe, who was accompanied by Oil and Gas Advisor, Matthew Wilks and Project Co-ordinator and Legal Advisor in the Department of Energy, 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 is quoted by the Public Information and Press Services Unit of the Ministry of the Presidency as saying.
Dr Bynoe noted that the Department does not underestimate the momentous task ahead and it continues to seek 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.
Additionally, during the delegation’s meeting with the Ministers of State and Natural Resources, 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. 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. The meetings were held at the Ministry of the Presidency.