The School of Research and Graduate Studies at Ghana's Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) is to commence with an 18-month research project to train managerial and executive employees to work in the country's oil and gas industry.

Ghana Web reports that the research has been funded by the UK's Department for International Development and will be focused on developing competences in Ghana's Western Region.

The dean of the school Reverend Goski Alabi said the project will help to ensure local workers maximise the benefits from the development of natural resources in the country.

Irish oil and gas major Tullow is on course to achieve first oil in the offshore Jubilee field in the final quarter of the year, while additional upstream exploration is still ongoing.

Reverend Alabi said the discovery of oil and gas offers a strong opportunity to tackle poverty in the country through training and employment initiatives.

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