The Revenue Watch Institute (RWI) has launched a new programme to provide Ghanaian journalists with the skills to report on developments in the country's burgeoning oil and gas industry.

As part of the new training initiatives, students will be involved in field trips, online lectures and mentoring programmes involving established industry professionals and established journalists.

The programme, which is run as a non-profit initiative, will also be open to Ugandan trainee journalists. Courses will run for eight months and are due to begin in July and August.

The WRI plans to run the courses again over the following two years as both countries achieve first oil from offshore wells.

Irish upstream operator Tullow, a major stakeholder in both Ghanaian and Ugandan oil fields, expects to achieve first oil in Ghana by the end of the year.

The company is also investing in oil and gas training programmes to ensure local residents can find a job in the new industry.

Getenergy for Western Africa