Could you please provide an overview of the services offered by ShawbellConsulting to the oil and gas industry?

ShawbellConsulting is a management consultancy and legal services provider established in 2002, offering services to both government and private sector institutions. It comprises three divisions, namely ShawbellConsulting Limited, which offers management consultancy and institutional reform services; ShawbellConsulting Lex, which focuses on legal advisory; and the Ghana Institute of Consulting, which provides capacity-building support to professionals. Additionally, ShawbellConsulting organizes the Skills Resource Network, a non-profit enterprise that helps Ghanaian graduates and young professionals to encounter employment opportunities. ShawbellConsulting has a core group of clients currently doing business in the petroleum sector, including a consortium exploration group that the company has served since 2008. ShawbellConsulting has successfully supported the exploration group through the process of securing a license to operate in Ghana. The legal division of ShawbellConsulting has advised clients that offer support services to the industry, and the company has consulted on organizational development programs for various multinational companies in both the upstream and downstream petroleum sectors. The company regularly receives enquiries from companies considering entrance into the Ghanaian market and has worked with them in an advisory capacity. The company’s capabilities in the oil and gas sector are broad, and they see their business in this area growing.

What are some of the growth strategies ShawbellConsulting employs to attract new clients and develop its business?

ShawbellConsulting’s foundation for future growth is to ensure that their existing clients receive high-quality service that they expect. The company wants its clients to succeed, and for their businesses to grow. They keep their clients informed as regulatory frameworks develop and provide expertise and professional services that their clients can rely on. Establishing lasting relationships with clients builds the company’s reputation and wins them future business. ShawbellConsulting is employing a secondary strategy of promoting its services through networking and other marketing opportunities. The company aims to reach out to any companies considering Ghana as a destination for expansion or investment to recognize them as their first stop for consulting, advisory or legal services.

What are some of the obstacles for companies looking to move into the Ghanaian market, and how can ShawbellConsulting help to overcome them?

ShawbellConsulting can advise companies on the registration process for businesses in Ghana, which is the first thing they can do to help. It is important that companies understand their options and the requirements they need to comply with. The registration procedure depends on the function of the company, and there are different conditions that apply to the process of registering as an external company to that of a local company. A support services company that cannot be categorized as a petroleum enterprise has specific obligations with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, while petroleum enterprises in the upstream sector, for example, have to contact the Petroleum Commission. Defining precisely what their business is and then being able to understand which laws apply to that can be one of the primary obstacles for petroleum companies. Another issue relates to taxation, where some companies are allowed to self-assess but others require direct assessment by the Ghana Revenue Authority and must adhere to specific rules. The difficulty is that the rules and procedures for enterprises are not consolidated because they cut across various agencies. While the global players tend to be more practiced in relation to entry procedures, not all investors or newly-established enterprises know where to turn in matters such as these. ShawbellConsulting offers the expertise and local knowledge that is needed to navigate these processes.

Ghana is an oil-producing nation, what can be some of the lessons it can learn from other countries that have experience in this industry?

One of the most important lessons that we impart to foreign companies that come to Ghana is to demonstrate a long-term commitment to the country and its people. It is crucial for them to show that they are not only interested in making short-term gains but are invested in the sustainable growth of the industry. Unfortunately, we have seen many countries that have discovered oil and have been exploited by multinational companies that have limited interest in benefiting the local population.

As a consulting firm, we encourage our clients to engage with the local communities and take their corporate social responsibility seriously. This not only benefits the Ghanaian economy but also makes commercial sense for our clients. A company that is seen as a trusted brand will be more successful than one that is not.

It is essential for Ghana to ensure that the oil and gas sector grows sustainably and is regulated thoroughly. We need to make sure that our natural resources are utilized in a way that benefits the local population while also attracting foreign investment. By doing so, we can continue to grow our economy and create opportunities for our citizens.