The office of the GNPC Petroleum Commerce at the Institute of Oil and Gas Studies, University of Cape Coast (UCC) has held its 7th Oil and Gas Public Lecture Series and award ceremony. The event was held with a call on African leaders to think strategically as they adopt renewable energy sources.
The shift to renewable energy in Africa is said to have been progressing remarkably over the last decade, with many countries working to increase renewable energy capacity in recent years.
According to the UCC GNPC Petroleum Commerce Chair, Professor Omowumi Iledare who made the call, Africa must pay particular attention to the consequences associated with utilizing these renewable energy sources.
He indicated that between 2000 and 2010 coal reserves came down by 15% because of the fear of dirty energy however, between 2010 and 2020, coal reserves grew by 20%.
“I want Africa to listen and make sure we think strategically and make sure we are not coerced based on aid to dump what we have; because the consequences are what you see in the streets of most African countries today because we did not think strategically,” Prof. Illedare said.
Vice-Chancellor of University of Cape Coast, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, stressed the importance of the transition to renewable energy and said the energy generation sector is a key target due to its significant contribution to increase carbon dioxide emission.
“… De-carbonization of the sector is considered one of the most effective mitigation strategies to reducing carbon dioxide levels and ultimately addressing climate change”, the VC added.
He expressed appreciation to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) for the notable roles it is playing in the university.
The Public Lecture was on the theme “The Dawn of Global Energy Systems Transformation: Strategic Thinking and Transitioning Options.” The awards ceremony honoured eight (8) GNPC scholars who were students of the School of Economics, School of Business, and Institute of Oil and Gas Studies. They have successfully completed the pioneering academic enrichment Certificate in Petroleum, Energy Economics and Management (CPEEM) programme at the Institute of Oil and Gas Studies.
Source: Rosemond Asmah/ATLFMNEWS
