Ghana's draft proposals to ensure local workers are trained for employment in the oil and gas industry are attainable, according to the country's energy ministry.

Speaking to the Business Analyst, Edward Adombire Bawa, from the ministry's public relations office, said that while the plan to increase local participation in the sector to 80 per cent by 2020 is ambitious, it is not unachievable.

He explained that crucial to achieving local content goals will be the establishment of the oil and gas business development fund, which will be used to support training and research and development.

However, he also recognised that the government will need to move swiftly with local content legislation if it is to ensure that its 2010 target is achieved.

Neighbouring Nigeria has this year pushed through landmark local content legislation and is in the process of training ex-rebels in the oil-rich Niger Delta state to provide them with jobs in the energy sector.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development