Accra: The Women in Oil and Gas (WIOG) has partnered with the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) to launch a nationwide orientation program under the Presidential Oil and Gas Absorption Initiative. This initiative aims to prepare young people, especially women, for employment in Ghana's oil and gas industry.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Abundant Hayford Aggrey, the National President of WIOG, highlighted the partnership's alignment with WIOG's commitment to equipping the youth with practical skills and internationally recognized certifications needed in the sector. The initiative, which began in 2016, addresses a gap in awareness of certification, safety, and ethical standards in the industry, and has gained national attention as part of the government's 24-hour economy agenda.
Mrs. Aggrey explained that the President had directed the Energy Ministry, through the National Petroleum Authority, to sponsor selected trainees fully. The Ghana Navy will provide pre-certification survival-at-sea and swimming training for offshore operations. The program is certification-driven, allowing even junior high school graduates to gain employment with the necessary safety and professional certifications.
The initiative expanded to the University of Ghana, Legon, where 196 students were trained, with 50 to 55 students meeting the standards required for Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health (EOSH) certification. WIOG has now allocated 400 training slots to NUGS to ensure nationwide representation, alongside additional slots for traditional authorities, religious leaders, and the public, with a merit-based and non-political selection process.
Mr. Rashid Ibrahim, the National President of NUGS, emphasized that youth unemployment in Ghana could pose a national security threat, underscoring the need for industry-focused interventions. He welcomed the WIOG initiative as a priority for securing employment opportunities for students after graduation, aligning with NUGS' objectives of bridging the gap between academic training and employability.
Mr. Ibrahim stated that WIOG plans to train about 700 young people nationwide, starting with an initial cohort of 200 participants from the Greater Accra Region. He expressed optimism that the training would enable beneficiaries to contribute meaningfully to Ghana's oil and gas industry.