The National Oil Company - GNPC has today 9th June 2022 made a presentation of traditional drinks and other items to support the Nkusukum Traditional Council to perform customary rites ahead of the execution of the Decommissioning of the Saltpond Field. This gesture was in response to a call made on the corporation by the traditional council when GNPC paid a courtesy call on the Acting Paramount Chief of the Nkusukum Traditional Council to inform him of plans to decommission the Saltpond Field. The Chiefs emphasized that these rites were performed when the platform was brought to its current location and it is only right that same is done before dismantling to ensure a safe and successful decommissioning.


The Chief of Nankesedo Nana Baah VII received the delegation at his palace in the company of Nana Kwa Bonko V - Chief of Biriwa and Nana Gyan Ankwanda V, Chief of Saltpond.

Presentation to the Nkusukum traditional Council at the Nankesedo palace in Saltpond

Making the presentation, the leader of the GNPC delegation, Dr. Kwame Baah - Nuakoh General Manager, Sustainability and Stakeholder Relations thanked the Chiefs and people of Nkusukum for hosting the Saltpond Platform for over fifty years and emphasized that the decommissioning of the field will not end the corporation's relationship with the people of Nkusukum.

Dr. Kwame Baah - Nuakoh (in black) addressing the chiefs at the presentation ceremony



Receiving the GNPC delegation on behalf of the Acting Paramount Chief; Nana Kwa Bonko V who is also the Chief of Biriwa thanked GNPC for the gesture and promised that as traditional leaders, they have a duty to support government initiatives aimed at bringing development to the country, hence their willingness to support the purification exercise which will pave the "way" - spiritually, for GNPC and its contractor to work on the sea without any disaster. He emphasized, that the Ghanaian tradition is tried and tested and at any point in time we must give due to our ancestors for the protection and blessings they give us. Chief of Nankesdo, Nana Baah VII charged GNPC to ensure that the decommissioning is done in an environmentally friendly manner and ensure that no debris is left on the seabed since it had the potential to destroy nets of fisherfolks. The Chief of Saltpond also advised GNPC to adhere to all international laws and best practices governing decommissioning exercises for the safety of both human and aquatic life on the sea.

GNPC delegation in a pose with from l-r (seated) - Chief of Biriwa, Nankesdo, and Saltpond

Other members of the GNPC delegation included Ms. Patience Lartey - Head Social Performance and Local Content, Dominic Ponu - Project manager for the SFDP, Ato Debrah Deputy Project manager SFDP and Joseph Boateng of the Social Performance department.