Resource GNPC to meet the challenges of the Oil and Gas industry-Lecturer

A lecturer at the University of Cape Coast Business School, Mr John Gatsi, on Saturday called on the government to adequately resource the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to enable it meet the challenges of the Oil and Gas Industry.

He said with the current state of the GNPC, it would be very difficult for it to effectively compete with International Oil Companies like Tullow Oils which already has the requisite human resources and logistics.

Mr Gatsi, who was addressing a conference organized by the UCC Association of Business Students at Cape Coast, noted that until Ghanaians were able to develop their own capacities in the oil industry, they would continue to be cheated by the developed world.

The conference which was on the theme, “Preparing the New Generation of Entrepreneurs and Business leaders”, was attended by more than 500 business students.

Mr Gatsi said it was also imperative for the government to invest in the training of the human resource base to help in the operations of the oil and gas industry, stressing that, the jubilee oil fields were solely being managed by expatriates because there were few Ghanaians who have the technical know-how in the industry.

He tasked university students to look beyond jobs in the mainstream of the oil and gas industry and consider pursuing courses in taxation, health and safety, environmental and community management as well as policy formulation and accounting which are crucial areas for the faster development of the oil industry.

The lecturer said it was also important to improve the training and development of Ghanaians in technical areas like pipelines and drilling engineering, instrumentation mechanics, petroleum economists, petroleum accountants and environment accountants as well as specialized security issues.

Mr Gatsi noted that it was not enough for oil companies to concentrate on fulfilling their corporate responsibilities towards the communities in which they operate but to also directly involve the communities in the planning, management and execution of projects that would be beneficial to them.

Mr Daniel Agyapong, lecturer at the School, said attitude of some Ghanaians was affecting the creation of wealth and expertise.

He said to the assumption that it is the government which is to provide jobs, to have a high taste for imported goods, the poor nature of school curriculum, fear of being hunted by a witch if one is rich or successful as well as the low media promotion of local businesses were some of the reasons why businesses were not growing as they should in Ghana.

He said for businesses and entrepreneurs to survive in Ghana, there was the need for people to develop a mindset that would enable them to take advantage of the numerous opportunities available adding, commitment, determination, leadership, opportunity obsession, tolerance of risk, creativity, self reliance, adaptability and motivation to excel were the qualities of an entrepreneur.

He urged the students to remain disciplined and serious with their studies.

Mr Michael Appau, Head of Asset Finance UT Bank, said the current business environment needs transformational leaders who are curious, bold, and virtuous and are ready to take risk and make use of all available opportunities.

He urged the students to be the vanguards of the society and should be interested in what is happening in the society, noting, that attitude would help build a better society.