Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has officially opened the AOW: Energy 2025 in Accra, marking the beginning of a historic week for Ghana, Africa, and the global upstream industry.
According to Ghana News Agency, more than 1,200 delegates, including Ministers, dignitaries, national oil company leaders, CEOs, investors, and technical experts, are attending the event, which has established itself as a crucial platform for upstream development in Africa.
In his opening address, President Mahama welcomed leaders from across Africa and around the world, expressing gratitude to the many Ministers and dignitaries who had traveled to Accra to partake in this defining moment. He highlighted the gathering as a moment of national and regional pride, emphasizing the continent's determination to speak with one voice on the future of natural resource development.
President Mahama declared, "AOW: Energy is here to stay. It is more than just an event-it is a movement run with African interests first. This is a platform for Africa, by Africa, and it is a moment of national pride for Ghana to host it." He further stressed the importance of aligning goals to unlock more production and deliver prosperity.
The President emphasized the significance of partnerships, particularly between the Government of Ghana and AOW: Energy, to ensure alignment of domestic priorities with regional collaboration. He urged African governments to accelerate upstream development, strengthen energy security, and leverage partnerships to drive infrastructure, production growth, and intra-African trade.
A central highlight of his remarks was a tribute to GNPC Ghana on its 40th Anniversary. President Mahama praised GNPC's legacy as a pillar of national pride, crediting its four decades of service as vital to Ghana's energy journey and its role in creating long-term social and economic impact.
President Mahama also expressed appreciation to the international and regional partners who have made AOW: Energy 2025 possible. He extended gratitude to ExxonMobil, who sponsored the Opening Night at the Presidency, and acknowledged other sponsors and partners whose support has elevated AOW: Energy into a world-class platform.
He concluded with a call to carry the momentum forward, envisioning a bigger AOW: Energy 2026. "Together, we will continue to showcase Africa's upstream story and build a future of pride, strength, and unity," he stated.
With its successful presidential opening, AOW: Energy 2025 has cemented its place as Africa's premier upstream investment gathering-a platform where Africa's voice leads, African interests come first, and the global industry rallies to support the continent's ambition for greater growth and development.
