Beneficiaries of specialised welding programme set to begin training this week

A delegation led by the Deputy Minister for Energy (Petroleum), Hon. Mohammed Amin Adam has officially handed over the five beneficiaries of a one-year specialised welding training programme to the leadership of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton, Canada. The event which took place earlier this week, is in furtherance of the Accelerated Oil & Gas Capacity (AOGC) Building Project; a project launched in 2017 by the President, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to boost Ghanaian participation in the upstream petroleum industry. Entrusting the students to NAIT authorities, Hon. Adam expressed confidence in their leadership in ensuring that the students will be provided with the required knowledge to play critical roles in the industry. He further urged the trainees to raise the flag of Ghana high, by distinguishing themselves in their conduct and studies. “I know you have come to a center of excellence. Although, this is my first visit to the NAIT campus, I am very impressed by the facilities available and the skills profile that NAIT is committed to. Leave no stone unturned and make the most of this opportunity,” he said. Hon. Adam also expressed gratitude to the Petroleum Commission for successfully managing and implementing the President’s AOGC Project, while encouraging the Commission to do more to increase Ghanaian participation in the upstream petroleum industry. In response, CEO of the Commission, Mr. Egbert Faibille Jnr thanked the Hon. Minister for the support received and confidence reposed in the Commission to implement the AOGC Project. He also assured the Minister of the Commission’s commitment to further develop local capacities in the industry. Other government officials present during the handing over ceremony included the Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy, Hon. George Mireku Duker and CEO of Tema Shipyard who is also a member of the Commission’s Local Content Committee, Captain Francis Micah. The one-year course estimated at $250,000 is funded by Baker Hughes, a GE company.