A statement issued by the British High Commission in Accra and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the visit would provide an opportunity for Scottish businesses to access the local market conditions, and to look for potential local partners interested in enhancing their own offer by linking up with Scottish companies.

It said Andrew Monaghan, Scottish International Trade Advisor for West Africa at Scottish Development International – Scotland, UK would lead the Trade Mission to Ghana.

Commenting, Andrew Monaghan said: “I am delighted to be bringing such a large trade delegation from Scotland, all of whom are interested in helping to develop and build the Ghanaian oil and gas industry for the benefit of its citizens.”

Sub sectors to be represented include; education and training; subsea engineering; electrical product distribution; well construction and engineering services; and remote communications systems.Awareness of the need to address local content and local participation issues is high on the agenda and will also be discussed during roundtables.

The Scottish Oil & Gas Industry has faced challenges since the drop in oil prices, however, it has responded impressively through a combination of innovation, lowered costs and by engaging with new markets in West Africa.

 The statement said currently Ghana benefits from Scottish-based companies operating in Ghana, there was scope to develop partnerships and for the transfer of the technologies, educational capabilities and skills that had been built up over the 50 years of operating in the North Sea.

 It noted that Scotland is a true Global Hub for Oil and Gas and associated with education and training.  It said the Oil and Gas cluster made a huge contribution to the Scottish economy with Scotland having creative and innovative companies operating in over 100 countries worldwide.

It urged companies or individuals interested in finding out more about the composition of the delegation to get in touch with British High Commission, Accra. Scottish Development International (SDI) is the international economic development arm of Government in Scotland and provides a broad range of services to support companies and institutions to help them develop their overseas business.

 SDI also helps overseas businesses tap into Scotland’s key strengths in innovation, knowledge, high levels skills and technology. Operating in 29 countries around the world, SDI opened its first office in Africa in the British High Commission in Accra in June 2014. Whilst regional in its geographic focus, sectorally the focus of activity in Africa is primarily oil & gas and education & training related to oil and gas.

The delegation comprises of 19 companies: ACE Winches, Aquatic Subsea, Bowalds Energy UK Ltd, Corex (UK) Ltd, Exceed and Flexlife Ltd. The rest include; Grant Thornton UK LLP, Hydrasun Group Ltd, ION Geophysical 10, Katoni Engineering, Oil States Industries (UK) Ltd and Online.