By: Mabel Adorkor Annang
The Association of Oil Marketing Companies, AOMC has announced a strategic partnership with the Kumasi Institute of Technology and Environment, KEEP and the Institute of Capacity Development, IC to drive innovation and growth in Ghana’s petroleum downstream industry.
The announcement was made when the AOMCs CEO, Dr. Riverson Oppong led a team on a productive visit to Chairman and Project Lead for the KNUST Engineering Education Project and Innovation Centre (KEEP & IC), Prof. Jerry John Kponyo.
The objective of this visit was to fortify ties and explore avenues for mutual collaboration and partnerships.
Through collaborative research and development, the partnership aims to enhance the capacity and expertise of AOMC members by offering training programs in petroleum engineering, fuel technology, equipment maintenance, and other critical areas.
The initiative will also focus on developing a skilled workforce to meet the evolving demands of the country’s downstream petroleum sector by providing internship and practical training opportunities for KNUST students at AOMC member companies.
Addressing critical industry challenges such as forecourt management, quality control, environmental impact reduction, and health, safety, security, and environment (HSSE) will be a key focus of the partnership through collaborative research.
The AOMC team also toured KEEP’s smart labs, exploring their work in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and the petroleum labs.
Dr. Oppong expressed his keen interest in collaborating with KEEP on projects advancing the capacity of OMCs/LPGMCs in petroleum downstream through engineering education, research, and innovation.
Dr. Riverson Oppong announced that the AOMCs will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding with KNUST.
“We will be coming up with collaborative MOUs to help them achieve the target. Students of today have no burden; they have the time and the energy to research and give us the solutions to the problems that we have in the industry.” Dr. Oppong stated
Innovation Manager, CoE-IC with KNUST Dr. Makafui John Bedzra welcomed the partnership, emphasising the readiness KNUST students and faculty to contribute to the initiative.
“Our students, our faculty are well equipped. We have the KNUST Engineering Education Project, KEEP, which is producing top-notch postgraduate students at the various levels of postgraduate education.” he noted.
When the AOMCs team also visited the Provost of the College of Engineering,Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko he highlighted that the partnership will help bridge the gap between academia and industry.
He believes that “as a university, it is important to work with government and the industry, address problems in our environment, and also equip the students so that when they graduate, they will be fit for the jobs of today and to create industries.”
Both parties emphasized the crucial role of academic research and innovation in addressing industry challenges and ensuring the sustainable growth of Ghana’s petroleum sector.
A Member of the KEEP team Prof. Kponyo thanked the AOMC for the visit and looks forward to future collaborative projects that foster long-term interaction between academia and industry.
This strategic alliance marks a significant step towards advancing Ghana’s petroleum industry and ensuring its sustainable growth.
