Universities Must Develop Courses on Oil and Gas—Prof Abor

The Dean of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) Professor Joshua Abor, has called on tertiary institutions in the country to expedite action on developing the needed human resource for Ghana’s oil and gas industry.

Speaking to Citi Business News, Professor Abor stated that Ghana’s oil and gas industry can only reach its full potential with support from a well-trained local human resource base.

“I know a number of units within the university are coming up with programs that are related to the oil and gas sector. The Universities are doing their best but there’s a lot more we can do, I don’t think we’ve gotten there yet.”

Professor Abor highlighted some of the steps the University of Ghana Business School in particular is taking to prepare students for the sector.

“The Business School currently has a course called Oil and Gas Accounting and Finance. So we’re beginning to revise our curricular to reflect the changing trends in some of the emerging sectors. And therefore we will certainly accommodate the needs of the oil and gas sector to be able to improve the human resource capability to deliver on their mandate as a sector.”

Professor Joshua Abor was speaking at the sidelines of the launch of the UGBS Tullow Ghana Library.

The refurbished library, which is open to faculty, students, as well as the general public contains furniture, a librarian’s booth, computer equipment, books and a lounge nicknamed the “Tullow Corner” with digital devices for students.

The UGBS received the cedi equivalent of US$120,000 from Tullow in December 2015, to undertake the refurbishment of the library.

Presenting the refurbished library on behalf of Tullow Ghana, outgoing Managing Director Charles Darku stated that his outfit was playing its role in developing world class human resources while progressing Tullow Ghana’s commitment to local content development and localization.

“It has been a rewarding partnership – collaborating with the University to make this project come to fruition. I will therefore urge students and the school management to take good care of the facility and make good use of it. Tullow Ghana hopes this library will meet the needs of the modern business student, academic or executive, using cutting edge information technology to acquire knowledge. We also hope the library will support teaching, learning and research work.”