Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA), on Tuesday visited the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta, to explore a strategic partnership with the institute.
The aim of the partnership was to strengthen technical capacity in Ghana’s oil and gas sector.
The visit was part of Ghana’s plan to build its centre of excellence for petroleum training by drawing knowledge from Nigeria’s over five decades of experience in hydrocarbon manpower development
The high-level delegation from the West Africa country was received by the institute’s Director of Research and Development, Dr Tina Isechei, on behalf of the Principal and Chief Executive of PTI, Dr Samuel Onoji.
Addressing the delegation, Onoji said that the institute was ready to establish a mutually beneficial partnership with Ghana.
Onoji described the visit as timely and critical for regional solidarity in Africa’s petroleum industry.
He noted that PTI was established in 1972 to develop technical manpower for Nigeria’s emergence as a major player in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and the global oil industry.
The principal said that the institute had trained over 50,000 personnel who were now contributing significantly to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria and beyond.
“PTI is ready and glad to be of help to the Ghana National Petroleum Authority in every conceivable way, having gathered the expertise over the 54 years of the institute’s existence,” he said.
Onoji attributed PTI’s enduring reputation to four pillars: expertise, experience, exclusivity and effectiveness, with a strong emphasis on practical, hands-on training.
He noted that PTI’s curriculum is certified by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and supported by specialised facilities and experienced instructors.
According to him, the institute’s key areas of strength includes welding and fabrication, drilling and well control, National Skills Qualification (NSQ) certification, Skills Development Academy, firefighting, underwater welding, and research clusters.
He invited the delegation to participate in PTI’s Annual International Conference on Hydrocarbon Science and Technology, which according to him, has promoted manpower development since 2023.
Responding, Dr Joseph Wilson, leader of the Ghanaian delegation and Director of Research at Ghana’s NPA, thanked PTI for the warm reception, describing the engagement as very enlightening.
Wilson said Ghana deliberately chose Nigeria as a senior partner in its quest for capacity development, citing longstanding bilateral ties and the need for stronger African cooperation.
“We are here basically to deepen capacity. For reasons having to do with regional solidarity, Ghana decided to choose Nigeria as a senior partner instead of looking outside the continental shelf of Africa.
“Nigeria, being our big brother, became our desired destination for us to seek technical assistance to set up our own centre of excellence,” he said.
The leader of the delegation said the proposed collaboration would cover legal frameworks, technical assistance, stakeholder engagement, consultancy services, human capital development and capacity building.
Major highlight of the visit was the tour of PTI’s specialised facilities.
Speaking at the rig operations facility, the Director of Rig Operations, Lawrence Uti, explained rig operations and drilling principles to the visitors.
Also, Austin Ogugu, Director of Flow Station conducted the delegation through processes from the wellhead and manifold to separators and crude, gas and water chambers.
Other members of the Ghanaian delegation included: Bridgette Obiri-Yeboah, Director, NPA; Mohammed Issah, Director of Policy, Eunice Nyarko, Director of Commercial Services; Sedinam Mammara, Director of Human Resources.
Others were: Mudasiru Malana, Technical Aide; Saed Ubeidaleh, Head of Quality Control; Godwin Konu, Director of Business Development; and George Afful, in charge of Talent Development.