Agyemang, G.2024-02-262024-02-262022-11http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/41388PhD. Social Policy StudiesGhana formulated the Local Content and Participation Policy in petroleum activities in 2010. One of the objectives of the policy is to develop local capability through education and skill development. Skills shortage among Ghanaians persists in the upstream sector, and the issue of human capital development is looked at. This study examined the local content policies on human capital development in Ghana’s upstream sector, with a focus on upstream firms’ local content initiatives and programmes on human capital development, how employees acquire human capital and the challenges faced, and the institutional framework on human capital development in Ghana’s upstream sector. Through a qualitative approach and a case study design, this study made use of a semi-structured interview guide and document sources to collect data. The study made use of data collected from participants in upstream firms, civil society organizations, the Petroleum Commission, the Ministry of Energy, the Local Content Committee, and members of parliament. The findings of the study revealed the facilitation of human capital development through localization and succession planning, the use of competency assessment and development tools, the establishment of a human capital development policy, and infrastructural development. Further, employees were acquiring human capital through internal training, external training, e-learning, and personalized learning initiatives. However, there were several challenges to human capital development, including a perceived deliberate delay in skills transfer, difficulty finding experienced professionals, the limited capacity of stakeholder organizations, a lack of employee motivation, and inadequate information on localization. The study argues that the implementation of the local content policy has enhanced the development of human capital in Ghana’s upstream sector; however, it has not translated into targeted employment outcomes. The institutional arrangements have aided the development of human capital, though there are gaps that need to be addressed. As part of the recommendations, the government of Ghana should facilitate the capacity building of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation to train more Ghanaians, and the local content regulations should specify the maximum number of years that expatriate employees can work in the country while the Petroleum Commission improves the monitoring of the progress of employees’ training and succession through direct communication with them.enHuman Capital DevelopmentGhanaOil And GasPolicyThesis