The Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has reiterated his confidence in the Ghanaian potential to support the industrialization agenda of the Akufo-Addo administration.
Dr. Prempeh made this assertion when he visited BM Welding and Fabrication, a Ghanaian-owned Welding and Fabrication company in Edmonton, Canada.
He said Ghana is gifted with talents which is the basis for technical and vocational training and therefore was not surprised that a Ghanaian had been able to set up a company in the industrial province of Alberta, competing forcefully in their areas of operation
“I have always believed in the Ghanaian ability and when I was told that you had been able to do this, I was not surprised because Ghanaians all over the world are doing exploits and we commend you” he said
He further stressed that what is critical is the matter of training and certification. “You can have the talent and skill to be able to do the job but without proper certification, you will not be competitive”
He asked the Petroleum Commission to build a good relationship with the company especially as they seek to make the newly established Ghana Institution of Welding operational.
“As Minister my doors are always open to open and frank discussions with stakeholders to ensure that our people are trained to become competitive not just in the upstream oil and gas space but in related industries” he added
Owner of the company, Frank Mensah also trained at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, whilst taking the Minister and his entourage round the company’s operational sites and facilities, expressed delight that the Minister had visited his company.
“I am very delighted that our modest and determined efforts have been recognized by the head of Ghana’s energy sector” he noted
CEO of the Petroleum Commission, Egbert Faibille Jnr., expressed the Commission’s commitment to using the Accelerated Oil and Gas Capacity vehicle to ensure that the narrative is changed for the better.
He said the Commission will be seeking approval from the Minister to officially launch the Ghana Institution of Welding in January 2022.
BM Welding and Fabrication according to the owner employs about 90% Ghanaians, a move which the Minister described as a demonstration of patriotism
The delegation ended their tour with a visit to BIS Canada, a company specializing in Software on Heath, Safety and Environment.
After presentations by the company, the energy minister asked the Petroleum Commission to see how best it can collaborate with the company as Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) matters are critical in the upstream Petroleum Industry
