-To Boost South-South Cooperation
MONROVIA – The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) and the Petroleum Commission of Ghana have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening petroleum sector governance through regulatory collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint capacity development.
The agreement, finalized on June 2, 2026, represents a major step forward in south-south cooperation between the two West African nations. It establishes a framework for sharing regulatory expertise in petroleum licensing, contract administration, and local content development. The MOU also provides for joint training programs for petroleum professionals and mutual support in engagements with investors, national stakeholders, and multilateral institutions.
The signing comes at a pivotal moment for Liberia, as the LPRA advances regulatory compliance and administration of the country’s first set of upstream Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) in a decade. Those contracts were signed in 2025 with TotalEnergies EP Liberia (TEEPLIB) and Oranto Petroleum.
“The relationship between Liberia and Ghana in the energy sector has always been one of inspiration and mutual support,” said Marlin T. Logan, Director General of the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority. “We are meeting today as friendly nations shaped by one another’s good examples in natural resource management.”
Emeafa Hardcastle, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission of Ghana, underscored the weight of regulatory responsibility shared by both institutions.
“As regulators, we are entrusted to ensure petroleum resources deliver lasting benefits to our citizens,” Hardcastle said. “Achieving this requires strong institutions, capable human resources, robust regulatory frameworks, and continuous learning from one another.”
Key Areas of Cooperation Under the MOU
· Exchange of regulatory expertise and institutional knowledge
· Joint capacity-building programs for petroleum sector professionals
· Sharing of best practices in petroleum licensing and contract administration
· Collaboration on local content frameworks
· Mutual support in engaging investors, local stakeholders, and multilateral institutions
Both authorities affirmed that the signing marks not a conclusion, but the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral regulatory partnership. The LPRA and the Petroleum Commission of Ghana have committed to operationalizing the MOU through clearly defined technical exchanges and joint initiatives designed to deliver measurable value to both nations.
