JOLT at UEL Oil & Gas Conference

Ghana’s Oil & Gas Resources for Social-Economic Development Conference.

JOLT a was invited to the University of East London’s “ Ghana’s Oil & Gas Resources for Social-Economic Development” conference. Our Founder, Jacqueline Onalo was a keynote speaker and set the tone for the day’s deliberations, focussing on:

The tension between environmental degradation and the need for fuel to develop Africa.

The need to develop renewable energy alongside oil and gas relying on solar, hydro and bio energy.

The contentious issue of local content and how it sometimes operates to exclude indigenous SMEs.

The skills gap as an opportunity to be exploited.

The lack of diversity and inclusion in the sector.

Developing local communities lowers the cost of business but is undermined by cronyism of some of some IOCs who want their own networks to benefit.

Learning from what has and hasn’t worked in Africa and globally.

The discourse through the day was candid and illuminating with contributions made by 

Alexander Mould, Justice Richmond Osei-Hwere, Mr. John Darko, Dr. Olugbunmi Onafuwa, Mr. Douglas Oppong, Peter Antwi Boasiako and Jon Offei-Ansah.

Congratulations to Meena Yalley who convened this successful forum that attracted expert industry speakers from Ghana, U.K., Nigeria and beyond.

After a decade the jury is out as to whether oil and gas is a natural resource curse in Ghana. There is every opportunity to challenge this narrative.

Ghana and indeed Africa must seek to exploit our energy options our own way, what worked for the global north in the industrial revolution does not have to be the blue print, we can do it cleaner, safer and more equitable.