Accra:Abundant Hayford Aggrey, National President of Women and Youth in Oil, Gas and Green Transition (WOGGT), has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to safeguard the Presidential Oil and Gas Skills Initiative from political interference to ensure its successful implementation.
According to Ghana Web, Aggrey emphasized the importance of the initiative in building local capacity in Ghana's upstream oil and gas sector. It aims to create opportunities for the country's youth and women to acquire internationally recognized technical and safety certifications.
The initiative, led by President Mahama and coordinated through Dr. Callistus Mahama's office, seeks to equip 700 selected Ghanaians with specialized offshore and onshore safety certifications, including Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), advanced water survival, and firefighting.
Aggrey expressed concerns over alleged attempts by political opponents to undermine the program and hinder its expansion. She highlighted the initiative's role in providing 'ordinary' Ghanaians with a stake in the national oil, gas, and green energy sectors, reaffirming her commitment to securing opportunities for beneficiaries.
She called on President Mahama to provide institutional support to protect the initiative and WOGGT's leadership from political interference. Aggrey assured enrolled candidates that WOGGT is committed to securing the necessary funding to continue the project's phases.
Aggrey stated that the program would complement the government's 24-Hour Economy initiative and The Big Push infrastructure strategy by developing a pool of certified local professionals for the energy industry. Despite awaiting final state funding, WOGGT has mobilized trainees from across the country, with responsibility for the program's executive implementation and national oversight. The goal is to ensure all 700 candidates receive the necessary certifications and industry placements.