The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) have strengthened their partnership to drive research, education, and innovation in Ghana’s petroleum downstream sector. The collaboration, which began in April 2024, is anchored by the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre (TBHEC) and has already yielded significant initiatives and plans.

The partnership formally kicked off with a seminar on clean cooking and the Cylinder Recirculation Programme held on KNUST’s campus in June 2024, highlighting the importance of safe and sustainable energy practices. Following a series of meetings, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed, outlining collaboration on joint research, conferences, knowledge sharing, and academic exchanges, including the launch of a journal on petroleum downstream activities.

Since then, the collaboration has delivered tangible outcomes. KNUST hosted an LPG Safety Workshop, led by Prof. Lena Dzifa Mensah and Dr. Kwame Sarkodie, to enhance safety standards in the energy sector in August 2025. Working groups under the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre have been formed to drive implementation of key activities, including a baseline study on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) utilisation and the development of short courses on Petroleum Quality Assessment, CNG for Transportation, and Fuels of the Future (biofuels and green hydrogen), scheduled to roll out in 2026.

During the latest engagement, priority actions were identified, including a baseline study on electric vehicles, assessment of the impact of EV adoption on government revenues, and strategies for targeted LPG subsidies. The meeting also explored establishing a joint NPA–KNUST Endowment Fund to support research and postgraduate training, and developing professional development courses for sector practitioners.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, Chief Executive of NPA, and Dr. Joseph Wilson, Director of Research, Monitoring & Evaluation. KNUST was represented by 

Prof. David Asamoah, Pro Vice-Chancellor; Prof. David Ato Quansah, Director, The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre; Prof. Lena Dzifa Mensah, Fellow, The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre and Dr. Kwame Sarkodie, Head, Department of Petroleum Engineering.

A joint working group is set to meet in the coming days to map out timelines and strategies for the next phase of activities.