Speakers

Heads Economic Regulation at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Ghana, with 12+ years of experience in the petroleum downstream industry. Ensures efficient pricing and promotes fair competition among players. Instrumental in implementing key policies: Price Deregulation, Fuel Sulphur Reduction, and Cylinder Recirculation Model. Served on several committees: National Technical Committee on Petroleum Products, National Fuel Quality Policy Committee, and National LPG Policy Implementation Committee. Holds an MBA in Finance from GIMPA, a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Ghana, and professional certificates from Harvard Business School and Mennta Energy Solutions, UK. His expertise spans economic regulation, pricing, competition policy, and petroleum industry development. A seasoned regulator with a strong track record in shaping Ghana's petroleum downstream industry.

Armand Yoka is a Senior Associate at ATEX Africa, a pioneering trading platform launched by Afreximbank, the AfCTA Secretariat, the UNECA in collaboration with the AU to ease international trade for African companies within the framework created by the AfCFTA. With his extensive experience in structuring commodity transactions, Armand has successfully mobilized significant investments to support the sector across the continent. Armand holds a master’s degree in finance from University College London (UCL), where he developed a strong academic foundation that complements his practical expertise. At ATEX Africa, he has been pivotal in creating innovative trade finance operations and growing the ATEX ecosystem, enhancing access to essential resources for African importers and exporters. Today, Armand will discuss the integration of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) into the world of commodities, sharing his insights on how innovative financing solutions and strategic partnerships can drive sustainable development and economic growth across Africa.

Dr. Riverson Oppong is a renowned oil and gas expert with 15 years of global experience. He is the CEO of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies and an adjunct lecturer at several universities. He holds a Ph.D. and Post Doctorate Degree in International Oil and Gas Management and has worked on various oil and gas fields and projects worldwide. Dr. Oppong has played a key role in Ghana's energy sector recovery program and has contributed to policy documents on energy transition. He has received several international awards and recognitions for his work and has published numerous papers and articles. He is a sought-after speaker and has presented at conferences globally. Dr. Oppong's expertise includes oil and gas business analysis, field development planning, and portfolio management. He is also a member of several industry associations, including the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Frank Kwaku Duah is the Inspection Manager at Tema Oil Refinery Ltd., with over 20 years of experience in refinery inspection and engineering management. He holds a Metallurgical Engineering degree from KNUST, an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Management at Texila American University. Duah has extensive training in various fields, including ASNT, API, forensic engineering, and project management. He has achieved numerous milestones at Tema Oil Refinery, including leading inspections and commissioning projects for various storage tanks, pumps, and steam generators. Duah has also successfully resolved several critical issues, including refractory repairs, catalyst carry-over, and deformation of the FCC vortex separation system. His expertise and leadership have been instrumental in ensuring the refinery's efficient operation and maintenance.

Mr. Gabriel Kumi is a Chartered Marketer (CIM, UK) and holds a master's degree in Entrepreneurship from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). A professional marketer and an entrepreneur, with over 25 years hands on practical experience in the Ghanaian Beverage and Downstream oil marketing and distribution Industries, He has been particularly involved in the downstream oil Ilndustry with over 15 of these years, dedicated to nurturing and growing the LPG downstream sector in Ghana. He is an Executive Director of Trinity oil Company Limited, a leading LPG marketing company in Ghana and a sole distributor of Shield Lubricants in Ghana. He is currently the Vice Chairman of the LPG Marketing Companies Association of Ghana.

Gary has over 30 years of experience in the oil business in marketing, trading and supply with the Shell group and Trafigura. Throughout his career he has travelled extensively in Sub-Saharan Africa. Joining CITAC in 1999 shortly after its inception, Gary has been heavily involved in the development and promotion of the company both inside and outside of Africa. He has participated in several commercial and technical feasibility studies on African oil products storage depots, fuel feedstock supply options, market entry studies, supply chain logistics and refinery crude processing. Drawing on an extensive network of contacts in Africa and the international oil trading community, Gary has a responsibility for business origination, market intelligence and client liaison. He is a regular contributor to the CITAC Africa monthly market report.

Ivy is the CEO of Cirrus Oil Services LTD, driving downstream sector deregulation and community development initiatives. With over 20 years of energy sector experience, she previously worked at GE Capital in the US and UK, specializing in energy structured finance. She holds various board positions, including Chairman of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), and others. Ivy is a governing board member of the Private Enterprise Federation (PEF) and a member of the Executive Women's Network. She also serves on the management committee of the School of Arts, University of Ghana, and is a Corporate Executive in Residence at the University of Ghana Business School. Her expertise spans oil and gas, power generation, renewable energy, and ancillary services. Ivy is a seasoned executive with a strong track record in energy and community development.

Since joining CITAC in 2013, Jeremy has both led and supported a wide range of consulting projects on the African continent including market entry, feasibility, best practise and market intelligence studies. Jeremy has developed detailed expertise in West and Central African downstream market dynamics and covers these extensively in CITAC’s reports, as well as providing support on these markets to CITAC’s retainer clients.

John, a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in the financial services sector, is the CEO of the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB). He has a proven track record of driving corporate growth and has held various leadership positions, including CEO of Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) and senior roles at GCB Bank, Ecobank Capital, Barclays Bank, UBA Ghana, and Standard Chartered Bank Ghana. A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK) and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG), John holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Coast and an MBA from Oxford Brookes University, UK. He serves on various boards and committees, including the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, Radiance Pharmacy Limited, Legacy Bonds Limited, and the Payment Systems Advisory Committee - Bank of Ghana, among others.

Dr. Joseph Essandoh-Yeddu is a lecturer at the University of Cape Coast's Institute for Oil and Gas Studies. He has over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, including roles at the Ghana Energy Commission and as a consultant for UN agencies. He has developed energy plans, forecast energy demand and supply, and led teams on various energy projects. Dr. Essandoh-Yeddu has also been involved in international initiatives, including the IPCC and UNFCCC climate change negotiations. He has received various awards and recognition for his work, including being a Burns Visiting Scholar and Ford Foundation Visiting Scholar. He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Texas at Austin and is a member of several professional associations. Dr. Essandoh-Yeddu is a renowned expert in sustainable energy and climate systems, and his work has had a significant impact on Ghana's energy sector.

Joshua Okpalanne joined Vitol in 2013 and is Vitol Ghana’s Downstream Manager. He has over 15 years of oil refining, trading and business development experience. After fulfilling roles across crude and derivatives trading desks in Vitol’s Houston and London offices Josh moved to Ghana in 2019. Prior to joining Vitol Josh began his career as a Process Engineer with ConocoPhillips Company in Pennsylvania and later as a Crude Optimization Engineer at the Phillips 66 Woodriver Refinery in Illinois. Josh holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University, Philadelphia.

Kingsley is a seasoned Energy, Oil, and Gas professional with over 10 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Chase Petroleum Ghana Limited in 2010, he worked in sales, logistics management, travel and tour management, and broadcast journalism. He started as a Marketing Executive, rose to Head of Commercial, and now serves as Managing Director. Kingsley has driven reforms, structural changes, and new business initiatives, contributing to the company's growth. He prioritizes personal development and has attended various courses and seminars on customer relationship management, credit control, oil and gas trading, solution selling, and corporate growth strategy. Kingsley is a director on Chase Petroleum's board and a board member of the Chamber of Bulk Distributors (CBOD), demonstrating his expertise and leadership in the industry.

Kwaku is the Head of Operations & Technical with over 14 years of experience in the energy industry. He has a strong background in business development, operations, finance, and trade relations, with a proven track record of success in managing large clients and complex projects. Kwaku has extensive knowledge of the petroleum industry in West Africa and has held various roles, including Manager for New Business and External Markets. He has achieved significant milestones, such as supplying over 8000 tons of Marine Gas Oil to high-value clients and leading negotiations for new LPG export business. Kwaku is a chartered accountant (ACCA) and holds an MSc in Energy, Trade & Finance from Bayes Business School and a BSc in Electrical/Electronics Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He has represented his company at conferences and trade missions globally.

Energy Economist with 20+ years of senior management and leadership experience in the oil and gas industry. Proven track record in project management and energy policy formulation. Expert knowledge of commercial, policy, and regulatory issues. Currently, Director of Local Content at the Petroleum Commission, Ghana, overseeing local content, business advisory, enterprise development, community relations, contract administration, and the local content fund. Previously, Senior Manager for Gas Commercialization and Business Development at Ghana National Gas Company and Head of Natural Gas Division at BOST. Also served as Director of Petroleum at the Ministry of Energy, responsible for both upstream and downstream operations. Extensive international consulting experience, having worked with firms in multiple countries. Skilled leader with a deep understanding of the oil and gas industry.

Dr. SHEILA ADDO holds the position of Director for Policy Coordination at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA). She is an Energy Policy Strategist, her interests and focus have been on energy and environmental policy formulation and implementation as well as management of the commercial, social and regulatory impacts of such policy. She has undertaken pivotal roles within the NPA, accumulating over a decade of influential positions. These encompass, Director of Projects, Monitoring and Evaluation, Head of Research and Technical Aide to the CE, Head of Planning & Research, and Research Manager. Dr Addo has been instrumental in shaping and executing critical policies within the Petroleum Downstream industry in Ghana. She is also an adjunct lecturer in Energy and Environmental Security at the postgraduate level. Dr. Addo holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Applied Agricultural Economics and Policy, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Energy Law. She also holds a Master of Philosophy degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics, all from the University of Ghana. Her specialization is in Resource and Environmental Economics

A designated Process Engineer from the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas in Moscow, Russia with strong energy and natural resource governance experience in senior positions within the public and private energy, gas and petroleum industries. 18 years of extensive mid and downstream experience in successfully managing different aspects of systems and process design, community engagement to facilitate project implementation, local content, gender inclusion, risk analysis and mitigation, policy formulation, cost reduction strategies, energy-saving solutions and innovative problem-solving techniques.