The College of Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in collaboration with Genser Energy and The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre (TBHEC), has hosted a seminar on the theme "Fuelling Ghana’s Future: Engineering Excellence in Natural Gas Infrastructure Development."

Delivering a welcome address on behalf of the Provost of the College of Engineering, Professor Francis Kemausuor emphasised the need to celebrate and advance engineering excellence in Ghana. He acknowledged the significance of technical education and the essential role it plays in powering national development through practical, real-world application.

Professor David Ato Quansah, Director of The Centre provided a background to the growing relationship between KNUST and Genser Energy. He noted that the partnership was initiated in December of the previous year and has since produced three major action items. These include visits by staff and students to Genser facilities, technical seminars, and collaborative research projects focused on areas of mutual interest.

He noted that the lecture seeks to celebrate the brilliance of young Ghanaian talents, many of whom have passed through the College of Engineering.

“Today’s event is about celebrating engineering excellence and highlighting the brilliance of young Ghanaian talents, many of whom passed through this very institution,” he stated.

He stressed the importance of the courses studied in the Engineering Department and their relevance beyond the classroom.

“What you do here is not just some fanciful theory, but fundamental knowledge that is critical for industry practice. You will find that pipeline diameters are not chosen at random, and what you study in fluid mechanics and compressible flow finds daily application in industry,” he noted.

Mr. Fritz Tuwohofo-Moses, Communications Associate at Genser Energy, underscored the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry through industrial training. He explained that Genser’s industrial training programme is designed to offer students hands-on technical experience and industry-based knowledge. He also hinted at the potential for future collaboration between Genser and the KNUST College of Agriculture.

Mr. Henry Abeiku Oppong, VP- Operations at Genser Energy, shared his personal journey with the company, which has been at the forefront of Ghana’s natural gas revolution for the past 18 years. He recounted Genser’s role in building the largest natural gas pipeline transmission system in the country and credited much of the success to KNUST alumni who have taken up leadership roles within the company.

Reflecting on his early career, Mr. Abeiku admitted to making mistakes and learning valuable lessons.
"It is very important as a young engineer to understand the expectations of your management. I learned that every decision I make must align with the company’s standards and codes " he advised.

He highlighted the pillars upon which Genser Energy operates: Capacity Development, Execution Culture, and Performance Monitoring. According to him, these form the backbone of the company’s engineering and operational philosophy.

Addressing Genser’s natural gas pipeline network, Mr. Abeiku mentioned key challenges, particularly in land acquisition, stressing the importance of community engagement.
"Our major challenge was getting people to understand us. We must have specific procedures to ensure the highest quality of life for the communities we serve," he noted.

The session ended with a question-and-answer segment, during which students had the opportunity to engage with the speakers through insightful questions and interactions.