News

For the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), the development of a strong and sustainable energy sector begins with investing in people, well before exploration and production activities take place.

This message was underlined during GNPC’s engagement with students at the 2026 Career Fair hosted by the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani. The corporation highlighted the critical role of human capital development as the foundation for national growth and long-term sector sustainability.

Held under the theme “Reshaping the Future, Harnessing Talent for Sustainable Development,” the three-day event brought together academia and industry to explore pathways for equipping young people with the skills and mindset required to drive Ghana’s future.

Delivering the keynote address, GNPC’s Manager for Human Resources, Madam Agatha Amos, urged students to reconsider the true drivers of national development. While acknowledging Ghana’s natural resource endowment, she emphasised that the country’s most valuable asset remains its people.

“At the core of GNPC’s mission is empowering dreams,” she noted. “This goes beyond the resources we manage. It reflects our commitment to investing in people, because the future of our society, industries, and economy depends on those we prepare today.”

She encouraged students to pursue their personal and professional development with curiosity, discipline, and integrity, stressing that the evolving world of work demands adaptability, collaboration, and continuous learning. She also called on young women to remain confident in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), highlighting the need to increase female representation in technical fields.

Her remarks aligned with those of the Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor of UENR, Prof. John Kofi Mensah, who described the event’s theme as both timely and relevant, emphasising the importance of building the capacity of Ghana’s youth to meet global development challenges.

On the opening day, and during a panel discussion on “From Classroom to Boardroom,” GNPC Geophysicist Phillipa Ofori-Akoto shared practical insights on transitioning from academia into industry. She encouraged students to remain intellectually curious, seek learning opportunities beyond the classroom, and embrace growth as they navigate the uncertainties of early career development.

GNPC’s engagement extended beyond keynote sessions and panel discussions. Throughout the three-day programme, technical and corporate professionals interacted directly with students, providing deeper insight into the corporation’s operations and the diverse career pathways within the energy sector.

Presentations by Reservoir Engineer Sanfo Muawiya, Facilities Engineer Samuel Barima Asare, and human resources professionals Jesse Owusu and Adwoa Amowa Amoah illustrated how technical expertise and organisational functions integrate to deliver value within a national oil company. These interactions offered students a clearer understanding of the expectations, opportunities, and realities of working in Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry.

As part of its structured talent development approach, GNPC also conducted an aptitude assessment exercise on the final day of the fair. Supervised by the Human Resources team with support from technical staff, the exercise forms part of the corporation’s efforts to identify and engage high-potential students early.

Throughout the event, GNPC’s exhibition booth served as a central hub for engagement, attracting significant student interest and providing direct access to professionals, career guidance, and insights into the corporation’s work.

GNPC’s participation in the Career Fair reflects its broader commitment to developing the human capital required to sustain Ghana’s energy sector. It also reinforces the corporation’s role in building a pipeline of skilled professionals who will drive exploration, production, and innovation in the years ahead.