GNPC and University of Ghana Strengthen Partnership, Exploring Expanded Opportunities Academia-Industry Collaboration
On March 26, 2025, Mr. Kwame Ntow Amoah, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), hosted a high-level delegation from the University of Ghana (UG) at GNPC’s Petroleum House in Tema. Led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the visit underlined the enduring partnership between GNPC and UG while identifying new opportunities to enhance collaboration between academia and Ghana’s energy sector.
The discussions focused on aligning research, capacity building, and infrastructure development to address pressing challenges in both education and industry. Prof. Amfo commended Mr. Ntow Amoah on his recent appointment and highlighted GNPC’s longstanding contributions to UG, including scholarships, equipment funding, and the establishment of the Petroleum Geoscience Research Chair. These initiatives, she noted, have bolstered the sustainable development of Ghana’s hydrocarbon resources.
Joined by Prof. Justice Nyigmah Bawole (Dean, University of Ghana Business School), Prof. Kwasi Dartey-Baah, and Dr. Elizier Ameyaw-Buronyah (Public Affairs Directorate), Prof. Amfo outlined UG’s new Strategic Plan. The plan emphasizes strategic partnerships and impactful research, offering a framework for deeper collaboration with GNPC. A key agenda item was the GNPC-UG Professorial Chairs Programme, with UG proposing a review to align it with GNPC’s current priorities, notably the Voltaian Basin Project.
Mr. Ntow Amoah reaffirmed GNPC’s commitment to supporting research that drives industry innovation. He emphasized the Corporation’s strategic goals of accelerating oil and gas production and building local expertise across the energy value chain. “Your focus on industry-relevant research aligns closely with GNPC’s objectives,” he remarked. “We are eager to expand our partnership with UG and academia at large to tackle the energy sector’s real-world challenges.”
He urged UG to broaden collaborative efforts beyond geosciences, incorporating disciplines such as policy, law, finance, and environmental studies. Mr. Ntow Amoah stressed that non-technical expertise is vital for the sector’s sustainability and operational efficiency, proposing scaled-up programs to engage a wider range of academic fields.
The meeting exemplifies how strategic public sector-academic alliances can create lasting value. GNPC and UG’s continued collaboration promises to advance research, enhance capacity, and strengthen Ghana’s energy future through innovative, interdisciplinary solutions.