CEO of Petroleum Commission reaffirms govt’s commitment to ensuring Ghanaians benefit from oil resources

Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Egbert Isaac Faible Jnr, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring Ghanaians benefit from oil and gas resources through local content policy.

This stance aligns with the government’s vision to create an environment conducive to investment in the oil and gas sector while prioritizing job creation for Ghanaians.

Speaking at the 2024 Local Content and Exploration Conference in Takoradi, he said that for every expatriate working in Ghana’s oil fields, their expenses are factored into the cost of crude oil liftings.

The local content policy aims to increase Ghanaian participation in the industry, promoting economic growth and development. Key objectives include: Increasing in-country spend through patronage of Ghanaian goods and services, Localizing job opportunities for Ghanaian professionals, Facilitating training, research, and development and Enhancing capabilities and competitiveness of indigenous Ghanaian companies.

Faible Jnr noted that Ghana aims to reduce cost of oil and increase profit from oil, benefiting both the country and international oil companies (IOCs).

Effective implementation of local content policies is crucial, addressing challenges such as low capacity of local firms and weak regulatory enforcement.

The Petroleum Commission’s CEO, Egbert Isaac Faible Jnr, praised GRO Oilfield Alliance for their commitment to developing local talent, providing critical training to tertiary institution graduates for careers in the oil and gas sector.

“On behalf of the Commission, I’d like to extend our gratitude to GRO for establishing an academy to train young individuals. This initiative is truly commendable, as it addresses a critical gap in our industry. Often, graduates from institutions like KNUST and UMaT struggle to apply their theoretical knowledge in practical settings, leading to push back from companies.”

“We’ve experienced this firsthand as a Commission, where petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, and other graduates face challenges transitioning to EPSOs and drop ships. To bridge this gap, we previously invested $1 million in the Accelerated Oil and Gas Capacity Building Program, training 150 Ghanaian graduates at the Jubilee Training Center. This six-month program provided free board, lodging, and a monthly stipend of 1,000 cedis, resulting in Level 3 vocational qualifications in process technician ship, electrical technician ship, and other areas,” he said.

Mr Faible Jnr added that “It’s heartening to see GRO taking proactive steps to provide applied training, making these young minds field-ready. The government’s primary objective is to ensure our people benefit from their resources. Your efforts align perfectly with this vision, and we applaud you for it”.

The General Manager of GRO Oilfield Alliance, Akpene Sunu, noted that many graduates struggle to secure employment in the oil and gas industry due to a lack of industry-specific training. He emphasized that while tertiary education provides general knowledge, hands-on experience and specialized training are essential for success.

“For instance, universities may teach Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) concepts, but not provide practical training. To bridge this gap, graduates should seek industry-specific training in areas like: ⁠Scaffolding,⁠ ⁠Coating, ⁠Valve servicing,⁠ ⁠Calibration,⁠ ⁠Welding, ⁠Rope access.”

“With specialized training, employers will seek you out, and opportunities will open up. My advice to young graduates is to pursue relevant training after school, which will unlock doors in the oil industry,” he mentioned

Ruth Ebela Kwofie, the only female among four male interviewees, shared her inspiring story of pursuing engineering driven by a childhood passion for problem-solving. “I ventured into engineering because I have a passion for solving problems. Engineering encompasses various fields – construction, transportation, power, and energy – and I’m eager to make an impact”.

As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, I’ve faced misconceptions that engineering is difficult or not women-inclusive. However, I’ve excelled and discovered it’s engaging and exciting”.

Ruth encouraged the young females, “I say: don’t be discouraged. Engineering isn’t as tough as presumed. I encourage you to try your best and venture into this field. You won’t regret it.”