The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yinson Production West Africa Ltd. to launch a five-year collaborative project aimed at helping Ghana’s oil and gas sector achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The initiative will involve a comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in Ghana, the development of a harmonized, interactive emissions database, an evaluation of the carbon intensity of the oil and gas industry, and the proposal of viable mitigation strategies.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Professor Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, Provost of the College of Engineering, said the partnership reflects KNUST’s mission to bridge the gap between academia and industry. He confirmed that Yinson Production is providing funding for the Net Zero Carbon Emission Project, which will be led by the university’s Department of Petroleum Engineering.

“This is a model tripartite collaboration involving academia, industry, and government,” he said. “Yinson is funding the initiative, KNUST is leading its implementation, and the Petroleum Commission will play its role as the regulator.”

Dr. Yen Adam Sokama-Nueyam, of the Department of Petroleum Engineering at KNUST, will serve as the project’s principal investigator.

Mrs. Naa Opoku Agyeman, Managing Director of Yinson Ghana, said discussions with KNUST began before 2022, with the search for a capable partner to support the company’s sustainability goals.

“The department demonstrated exceptional professionalism and responsiveness,” she said. “Their proposed topics aligned perfectly with our corporate priorities. Each time we engaged them, they came prepared with answers. We are proud to support this partnership, which serves both industry and national development.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson welcomed the collaboration, praising the Department of Petroleum Engineering for its research capacity and commitment to quality.

“What you saw at the department is just a glimpse of what we stand for at KNUST  but also excellence and timely delivery,” she said.

She reaffirmed the university’s commitment to advancing academic-industry partnerships and stressed the crucial role of data in climate action.

“Data is the new currency. To meet Net Zero targets and address climate change, we need timely and accurate data,” she said.