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Council director to tell Ghana of Granite City’s energy sector success

Aberdeen’s success in the oil and gas industry is to be showcased at a British High Commission event in Ghana this week.

Gordon McIntosh, the city council’s director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, will lead the event in the capital city, Accra. He will tell Aberdeen’s success story and explain how the Granite City evolved to become the centre of excellence in the oil and gas industry that it is today, through adapting to the expansion of the North Sea oil and gas industry in the 1970s and 1980s.

Mr McIntosh will give a presentation on the growth of Aberdeen – its infrastructure, mass transport systems, higher education establishments, and the development of specialist engineering and manufacturing companies, as well as the impact on the local community and the development of skills in the local population to support the energy industry.

The event is being particularly targeted at Takoradi, where Ghana’s first big oil discovery was made in 2007. Production began in late 2010 and the city is now enjoying the very early stages of an oil boom.

Mr McIntosh said: “In many ways Aberdeen could be used as a growth model for the development of Sekondi-Takoradi as a major player in the energy sector. It will be the hub for Ghana’s oil industry, as Aberdeen is for the UK and Europe, and could learn a lot from Aberdeen’s experience.

“This event provides a fantastic opportunity not only for those involved in the Ghanaian oil and gas industry, but also to Aberdeen. There are clearly strong business opportunities to be had for companies in the energy industry and it is important that Aberdeen forges and maintains strong relationships with Ghana at the earliest opportunity. My visit there is just one part of the relationship-building process.”

Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure convener Kate Dean said: “This invitation from the British High Commission in Accra is a high accolade for Gordon, Aberdeen City Council and the city as a whole. This demonstrates the high regard in which Aberdeen is held internationally and recognises the level of experience and expertise in the oil and gas industry here.

“This trip, which is being paid for by the British High Commission in Accra, is a great starting point for building business relationships between Aberdeen and Ghana. I am sure that this oil boom and our new links with the country could generate some significant business and investment opportunities for North-east firms.”

The two-week trip will include visits to parts of Sekondi-Takoradi which have been identified for infrastructure development and meetings with Chambers of Commerce and community leaders, including the tribal Chief of Essikado and the Takoradi Mayor. Mr McIntosh will also spend time with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation.

All travel expenses are being covered by the British High Commission, which is also paying the council a consultancy fee for Mr McIntosh’s services.

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