NPA, UMaT explore partnership to strengthen Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is in talks with the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) to enhance innovation, technical training, and professional development within Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector. Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, the NPA's CEO, shared this news with a UMaT delegation, led by Professor Richard Amorin, the Dean of the School of Petroleum Studies.

Mr. Tameklo believes that collaborating with academic institutions will drive the industry forward by fostering research and innovative solutions to downstream petroleum sector challenges. He added that the NPA aims to engage with academia to generate novel approaches to industry issues. Moreover, the Authority intends to offer UMaT students internships, particularly in its technical departments, so they can gain firsthand experience of the industry's operations.

During the discussions with UMaT, the NPA also explored the possibility of providing special training and secondment opportunities for UMaT teaching staff. Additionally, the university might be included in training programs under the NPA's proposed Center of Excellence. The pair also considered the retooling of a laboratory at UMaT to bolster their collaboration.

Professor Amorin expressed gratitude to the NPA leadership for their openness to collaborate with the university, stating that he hopes these talks will lead to a formal partnership. Both institutions are optimistic that this engagement will help close the gap between academic research and industry practice while supporting skills development and innovation in Ghana's downstream petroleum sector.