JOMORO: The decrease in rig activities within Ghana's oil and gas sector has adversely affected many families, particularly in the Western Region, the center of the country's oil industry. However, Springfield Exploration and Production Limited, a wholly Ghanaian-owned company, is making strides to participate in the upstream industry, garnering support from local communities. According to Ghana News Agency, Nana Kweku Amosa, a fisherman from Jomoro, expressed his support for Springfield during a stakeholders' engagement session involving representatives from Springfield, its partners Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Explorco, and fishermen from six coastal districts in the region. Amosa acknowledged the importance of oil companies in providing employment opportunities, particularly for the youth in the Western Region. He drew parallels with the mining sector, noting the absence of major Ghanaian companies akin to AngloGold Ashanti or Newmont Ghana, and commended Springfield for its bold venture into the oil and gas sector. Springfield and its partners met with local stakeholders to discuss the arrival of the Deepsea Bollsta Rig, a semi-submersible rig intended for the appraisal of the Afina-1x Well, which yielded a significant discovery in 2019. At the meeting, officials from Springfield, GNPC, the Petroleum Commission, the Fisheries Commission, the Navy and Marine Police, and the Environmental Protection Agency advised fishermen to avoid fishing near the rig to prevent accidents that could result in financial loss and endanger lives. Nana Amosa pledged to raise awareness among canoe fishermen about the rig's presence to ensure safety and support Springfield's operations. He highlighted Springfield's commitment to supporting local companies and its pioneering efforts as a Ghanaian entity in an industry traditionally dominated by foreign firms.