Accra:Thirty-one young individuals, predominantly women, have completed professional safety training and certification in the oil and gas sector as part of the presidential initiative, Women and Youth in Oil and Gas and Green Transitions (WYOGGT).
According to Ghana Web, this initiative, led by Dr. Callistus Mahama, Executive Secretary to the President, is focused on enhancing employment opportunities for the participants in the energy sector. The trainees received certifications in Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Fire Safety.
The initiative's leadership announced that these graduates are expected to be considered for immediate employment through the Ministry of Energy, pending authorization from the Executive Secretary to the President. This training is a component of a three-year program by WYOGGT, aiming to train and integrate 700 women and young people into the oil, gas, and green transition sectors.
The program aligns with the government's goals of a 24-hour economy and The Big Push agenda, aiming to equip young people with industry-relevant skills to facilitate employment. Participants have been mobilized from various communities, with some cohorts organized in collaboration with the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS).
However, it was noted that administrative processes and pending funding disbursements remain, as efforts to prepare additional beneficiaries continue. Abundant Hayford Aggrey, National President of WYOGGT, urged the President to intervene to protect the initiative, citing political opposition and external pressures as challenges.
Aggrey highlighted the certification of the first 31 beneficiaries as a demonstration of the program's potential to create employment opportunities for young Ghanaians and called for continued support to ensure future cohorts benefit. She emphasized the importance of providing support and security for the initiative to prevent disruptions that could hinder efforts to equip young people with skills for the energy sector. She remains committed to ensuring that women and young people gain opportunities in Ghana's natural resource industries.