Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Emefa Hardcastle has called for bold technology-driven action to ensure a sustainable energy future, emphasizing that the global energy transition is not a distant concept but a current imperative.

She gave the call during a seminar organised at Takoradi Technical University, TTU, by the Department of Oil and Natural Gas Engineering in collaboration with the TTU Chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE.

The seminar was themed; “Energy Transition in the Oil and Gas Industry: Leveraging Technology for Sustainable Operations.”

In an address delivered on behalf of the CEO of Petroleum Commission by Alfred Aya who is the Takoradi Petroleum Commission Manager, Emefa Hardcastle highlighted the urgency with the need to embrace energy transition measures.

“The global shift towards cleaner, more sustainable energy systems — what we now call the energy transition — is not a distant vision; it is a present reality that demands our collective action and leadership,” she stated.

She said the oil and gas sector can align with sustainability targets through three strategic pillars including developing technology-driven decarbonization strategies, leveraging emerging technologies for targeted initiatives, and integrating sustainability into investment strategies.

To achieve this, the CEO of Petroleum Commission also called for cross-sectoral and international partnerships to support innovation, knowledge transfer, and shared action in achieving global sustainability goals.

She underscored the essential role of academia-industry collaboration in accelerating Ghana’s shift to a low-carbon economy.

Representing the Vice Chancellor at the seminar, the Pro Vice Chancellor of TTU, Prof. Victor Kweku Bondzie Micah, emphasized the urgent need for transformation within the oil and gas industry.

“The energy transition is undoubtedly one of the most pressing challenges of our time. It demands a fundamental shift in how we produce, distribute, and consume energy,” he stated

He outlined three core areas where Takoradi Technical University is committed to supporting the transition including Research Excellence in renewable energy, carbon capture, and sustainable resource management, Talent Development through education and skill-building initiatives for students and Industry Collaboration to foster innovation and implement real-world solutions.

Prof. Micah also underscored key technological advancements essential for the transition, including advanced monitoring systems to detect methane leaks, AI and machine learning for optimizing processes, carbon capture and storage, and the integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind into oil and gas operations.

He called for stronger collaboration among academia, industry, government, and the public to overcome the challenges of the energy transition.

Head of the Department of Oil and Natural Gas Engineering, lng. Dr. Joseph Sekyi-Ansah who spearheaded the organisation of the seminar noted that the global imperative to transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future is undeniable, hence urged the oil and gas industry, the cornerstone of our modern world to adapt and innovate to remain a vital part of the energy mix.

lng. Dr. Ansah also highlighted the dual focus of the transition on environmental responsibility and economic opportunity noting that it is not just about mitigating environmental impact, but recognising the immense opportunities that the energy transition presents that requires a paradigm shift, embracing new technologies and approaches to ensure the long-term viability and responsibility of the industry.

Vice Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, lng. Prof. Winfred Adjarjah explained that while energy transitions have occurred throughout history, the current shift—from fossil fuels to renewable and low-carbon energy sources—is unparalleled in its scale and urgency.

Representatives from various companies including Energy commission, Tullow among others advised students to take their programmes of study in the engineering field seriously and assured them of their company’s willingness to always support and transfer knowledge when their services are needed.