GNPC Drives Future Workforce Development as Headline Sponsor of UENR Career Fair 2025
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) served as the headline sponsor for the 2025 Career Fair hosted by the Petroleum Engineering and Natural Gas Department of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani. This aligns with GNPC's commitment to nurturing Ghana's future workforce and inspiring the next generation of energy professionals. The fair's theme, "Energy Development in Ghana: Opportunities for the Graduate Engineer," highlights the critical focus on industry-academia collaboration.
The three-day event facilitated a robust exchange among students, faculty, and industry professionals. It provided invaluable career insights, mentorship, and direct industry exposure, preparing students for successful transitions into the energy sector and broader professional spheres.
Mrs. Jennifer Boateng, GNPC's Manager of Human Resources, led the Corporation's delegation. She articulated GNPC's national mandate and strategic vision, emphasizing the evolving skillsets demanded by Ghana's upstream oil and gas sector. Mrs. Boateng highlighted that beyond foundational technical expertise, modern graduate engineers must demonstrate agility, adaptability, innovation, and a solution-oriented mindset. She urged attendees to leverage available opportunities, innovate purposefully, and contribute to Ghana's progress to collaboratively forge a sustainable, prosperous, and energy-secure nation. She also outlined GNPC's internship and national service programs, underlining the Corporation's dedication to empowering young talent through practical experience.
Mrs. Boateng further elaborated on how government policies, such as the Renewable Energy Act, alongside GNPC's strategic initiatives, are paving the way for a more resilient energy sector. She encouraged graduate engineers to position themselves as problem-solvers, equipped with technical acumen, interdisciplinary knowledge, and a commitment to sustainability. "The future of Ghana’s energy sector rests on students like you. At GNPC, we are not merely seeking ready talent; we are equally committed to nurturing and developing it," she affirmed.
The GNPC delegation, comprising representatives from Geology, Engineering, Human Resources, and Corporate Affairs, engaged extensively with students from various disciplines, offering technical insights and career guidance. The fair also featured a technical presentation by Mr. Timothy Safo and Mr. Kofi Addae-Afoakwa, who introduced students to the fundamentals of petroleum geoscience and engineering. These interactive sessions stimulated discussions on innovation, sustainability, and the future trajectory of oil and gas in Ghana.
GNPC actively participated in panel discussions alongside other industry stakeholders. Key topics included the need for academia-industry partnership, bridging the gap for national development, diversifying talent in the era of energy transition, and indigenous participation and opportunities for the graduate engineer.
Beyond student engagement, the GNPC team held discussions with UENR leadership, including the Vice Chancellor, Ag. Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dean of Students, Dean of Graduate Studies, and several Heads of Department. These discussions focused on strengthening academia-industry collaborations, fostering joint research initiatives, and supporting capacity-building programs.
A significant highlight was the visit to the GNPC-sponsored Application Laboratory, currently under construction on the UENR campus. This facility, upon completion, will significantly enhance research and hands-on learning in applied sciences, emphasizing GNPC's sustained commitment to STEM education and technical capacity development.
On the final day, GNPC administered a professional aptitude test to final-year students, an integral component of the Corporation’s talent identification and recruitment strategy. This was complemented by an insightful knowledge-sharing session where GNPC professionals offered candid reflections on the evolving petroleum landscape and emerging career opportunities.
GNPC's robust participation in the 2025 Career Fair reaffirms its unwavering dedication to youth empowerment and national development, consistently demonstrating its role in empowering the aspirations of young Ghanaians.