Public Lectures
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/29016
2024-03-28T15:48:44ZArtificial Intelligence and Economic Growth
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/39335
Artificial Intelligence and Economic Growth
Marwala, Tshilidzi
2023-05-25T00:00:00ZEnergy Transitions: Reflections on the state of Ghana’s Oil and Gas Industry.
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/39120
Energy Transitions: Reflections on the state of Ghana’s Oil and Gas Industry.
Commercial crude oil production in Ghana began in 2010 after its discovery in 2007, which sparked a renewed hope of economic recovery. Ghana has three main production fields: the Jubilee Field, TEN Field, and Sankofa Gye Nyame (SGN) Field. Currently, other oil blocks are undergoing exploration and could increase the country’s production profile if successful discoveries are made.
The oil and gas sector provides an avenue for supporting the national budget through the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA), smoothens budget shortfalls through the Stabilisation Fund and provides funding for future generations through the Heritage Fund. Between 2013 and 2021, the oil and gas sector contributed an average of 4.5% to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) out of about 20 subsectors. Again, natural gas from Ghana’s fields provides fuel for electricity generation through thermal power plants. In 2021, domestic gas formed about 85% of Ghana’s gas demand for power generation. Beyond power generation and support to the budget, the sector also provides direct and indirect employment and supports other sectors of the economy through forward and backward linkages.
The current conversation about climate action has heightened the push to transition from fossil-based fuels to cleaner energy sources with possible implications for Ghana’s nascent oil and gas industry. For example, there are fears that Ghana would lose out on the benefits of oil production due to stranded assets occasioned by the transition. Nonetheless, the transition could be advantageous to the country if Ghana positions itself to benefit from the social, economic, and environmental opportunities it presents. Therefore, it is essential for policy to harmonise and balance the trade-offs that exist between oil and gas exploration and clean energy integration.
As part of activities marking the 75th Anniversary of the University of Ghana which is under the theme: Nurturing Resilience: Adopting Technology, Embracing Humanism, this dialogue offers the opportunity for a thorough discussion of the future of Ghana’s oil and gas sector through the lenses of the energy transition. In addition, it seeks to answer critical questions of how Ghana can benefit from the energy transition and oil and gas exploration. Lastly, the dialogue highlights the expected action by key institutions in Ghana’s energy sector, which would lead to a maximum benefit of oil and gas and the energy transition.
2023-01-25T00:00:00ZOur Ghana: Reflections on Integrity and Resilience.
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/39119
Our Ghana: Reflections on Integrity and Resilience.
Awuni, M.A.
Mr. Manasseh Azure Awuni, renowned Investigative Journalist, has delivered the second UG@75 Public Lecture on Ghana's 66th Independence on the topic, "Our Ghana: Reflections on Integrity and Resilience.’’
Mr. Azure Awuni, Editor-in-chief at the Fourth Estate, charged Ghanaians to uphold the virtue of integrity no matter what the challenges may be.
In his presentation, Mr. Awuni highlighted some of the challenges Ghana is currently facing, such as corruption and bribery, dishonesty, a lack of commitment, and a lack of resilience. He stated that in order to fix these issues, individual commitment must be the starting point.
He carefully examined the roles individuals in various sectors of the country, such as government, judiciary, academia, religious institutions, the middle class and the youth, can play in promoting integrity.
“Academia should take a stand against corruption and dishonesty in our country and challenge authorities with the power of their knowledge and show it by not associating with persons or institutions known to be purveyors of corruption,’’ Mr. Azure Awuni noted.
His charge to the University is to support in shaping the mindset of the youth to think collectively to foster integrity. “Teach them that in the eyes of the international community, there is no difference in the reverence or disdain for the rich and the poor from Ghana or Sub-Saharan Africa. Teach them to have altruistic spirits and not expect rewards for every good they do, for the world sometimes gives you the opposite of what you offer.” he stated.
Mr. Azure Awuni further urged teachers to educate future leaders to fight corruption and injustice rather than remain silent. ‘Life is full of competition, but it is not a race and again, a good name is better than riches’, he concluded.
The event’s Chairperson, Her Ladyship Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo, (Rtd.), Chair of University Council, stated that she was hopeful the discussions will influence policy dialogues and contribute to reforms and positive transformation.
She highlighted some of the ways the University makes numerous contributions to national development, which include research, human resource training, community service, and engagement.
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor, in her address mentioned that, ‘Independence Day celebrations were until recently observed full scale across the regions, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies. After 66 years of nationhood, it is time to reflect on the nation deeply and consciously, through the lenses of integrity and resilience. It is for this reason that the Anniversary committee organised the lecture.
She also highlighted upcoming events marking the University’s 75th Anniversary.
There was also an interactive session that allowed participants to contribute to the discussion.
The event was moderated by Mrs. Dzifa Bampoh , UG Alumna, award winning media personality and currently the Corporate Communications Manager, at the Ghana Grid Company Limited , GRIDCo.
The Ghana Dance Ensemble gave a riveting performance, that highlighted the various political regimes Ghana has gone through, from independence.
Also present at the event were the Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, Pro Vice-Chancellors, Provosts, Deans, Directors, Heads of Department, Heads of diplomatic missions, staff and students.
2023-03-02T00:00:00ZRestructuring the National Economy: The Need for a Paradigm Shift.
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/39118
Restructuring the National Economy: The Need for a Paradigm Shift.
Graham, Y.
2023-04-06T00:00:00Z