KNUST PETROLEUM BUILDING

    Government has noted with concern that public awareness of the potential and impact of the oil and gas resources on the nation’s development prospects is inadequate. According to the Minister of Petroleum, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah there is limited understanding of opportunities available from developments in the oil and gas industry, while entrepreneurs are only beginning to appreciate the importance of the industry. 

There is also inadequate capacity of local financial institutions and limited availability of financial resources to support investments in the industry by local entrepreneurs. To ensure local content and participation across the oil and gas value chain, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah said Ghanaian enterprises will be supported in the exploration, development and distribution of the oil and gas resources. 

He made the remarks at the inauguration of the Petroleum Building and Laboratories complex at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi. The five-storey building is to serve as a capacity building centre focusing on the petroleum and petrochemical engineering programmes being offered at the university. 

It was financed by the university at a cost of seven-point-six million Ghana Cedis, using internally generated funds and Government of Ghana counterpart funds of one million Dollars. Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah said the oil and gas industry requires varying and differing skills. 

Nevertheless, the primary role of engineers and other technical experts in the oil and gas industry cannot be over emphasized. In this respect, the KNUST and three technical and vocational institutions were selected to benefit from the installation of modern equipment for the training of petroleum engineers and middle-level manpower. 

This, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah noted will enhance the competencies of graduates and prepare them adequately for the world of work. The Vice Chancellor of the KNUST, Professor William Otto Ellis said since the discovery of oil and gas resources, there has been the need for capacity building to meet the demands of industry and the aspirations of Ghanaians.

 He said part of the response of the KNUST has been to upgrade the ongoing oil and gas engineering and science education and research to respond to these needs.