Vitol is a partner in the upstream OCTP joint venture oil and gas project offshore Ghana. The gas fields were described as a “game changer” by the World Bank with the potential to transform the Ghanaian economy through a secure supply of fuel for Ghanaian homes and businesses. Our other partners are ENI and GNPC.
Along with our partners, we are committed to investing in the local communities in which the project operates. To deliver this, we created a targeted Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP) and Local Development Plan (LDP) to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth within the OCTP/Sankofa area of influence.
The LDP has been instrumental in diversifying economic opportunity and improving water, sanitation and education services across Ellembelle, Western Ghana. The LRP helped support families directly affected by the OCTP project with both the initial capital and livelihood training required to set up new commercial enterprises.
Training was provided across a range of livelihoods, such as livestock production, aquaculture, food processing, trading and vocational skills, like hair dressing or carpentry. This also included financial management training to ensure the sustainable success of new commercial enterprises.
Over the next decade approximately $8.2 million will be invested in 2023 through the LDP in these communities to improve education, water and sanitation services available as well as access to affordable and modern energy services.
This year alone, 11 best-in-class schools complete with canteens, staff common rooms, libraries and astroturf parks were opened. The schools took 16 months to build and will provide a quality education for generations of children.
It is projected our community investment will work with, and support almost 13,000 people in 10 communities neighbouring the project. The community enhancement projects have been designed to safeguard future jobs and secure a wider range of incomes in the host communities.
The projects have the potential to be enduring, increasing opportunities for the local community and generating sustainable growth for the local economy.