Sustainable Development Goals
Aker Energy seeks to be a constructive partner in developing the Ghanaian oil and gas sector and in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. Below are some examples of how our operations and social investments contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Aker Energy-GNPC Scholars Programme
The Aker Energy-GNPC Scholars Programme began in 2012 after a needs assessment carried out in the coastal districts of the Western Region identified education as one of the top priorities for these communities.
Based on this, the Aker Energy-GNPC Scholars Programme was developed to provide full scholarships to promising students from these communities.
The students are given guidance on tertiary education as well as application forms for further studies upon completion of the senior high school (SHS). Participants in the programme highlight the mentoring and follow-up offered in the programme as key to their success at SHS.
So far, 794 students have benefited from the programme. Four year-groups have graduated from the programme. The intake of 125 students for 2016 and 2017 was increased to 150 students in the 2018 intake, and 200 students in the 2019 intake. This flagship programme has received widespread positive feedback from stakeholders and Aker Energy will continue this programme to benefit more students from affected communities.
Aker Energy’s focus on education addresses the needs identified by Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education.
The Accelerated Oil and Gas Capacity (AOGC) Programme
Aker Energy supports the Government of Ghana’s AOGC programme.
- Technical, vocational, apprenticeship development and utilisation;
- Capacity building for small and medium enterprises (SMEs);
- Capacity development of educational institutions;
- Capacity building for public institutions.
Aker Energy’s contribution to the AOGC programme was officially launched in April 2019. At the launch, Country Manager Jan Helge Skogen commented that: “We are very happy to announce our support of the efforts to raise local knowledge and capacity levels in the growing Ghanaian oil and gas industry. Aker Energy will support the Petroleum Commission to certify vocational and technical experts, preparing them for jobs in the industry”.
Through our investments in capacity-building, we are contributing to Sustainable Development Goals 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth and 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, by promoting activities that support entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation (8.3) and increasing the access of SMEs in developing countries to value chains and markets (9.3).
The Accelerated Oil and Gas Capacity (AOGC) Programme
Aker Energy supports the Government of Ghana’s AOGC programme.
- Technical, vocational, apprenticeship development and utilisation;
- Capacity building for small and medium enterprises (SMEs);
- Capacity development of educational institutions;
- Capacity building for public institutions.
Aker Energy’s contribution to the AOGC programme was officially launched in April 2019. At the launch, Country Manager Jan Helge Skogen commented that: “We are very happy to announce our support of the efforts to raise local knowledge and capacity levels in the growing Ghanaian oil and gas industry. Aker Energy will support the Petroleum Commission to certify vocational and technical experts, preparing them for jobs in the industry”.
Through our investments in capacity-building, we are contributing to Sustainable Development Goals 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth and 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, by promoting activities that support entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation (8.3) and increasing the access of SMEs in developing countries to value chains and markets (9.3).
The Plastic REVolution Foundation
In May 2019, REV Ocean launched the Plastic REVolution Foundation in Accra.
REV Ocean and the Plastic REVolution Foundation have been established through the generous financial support of Kjell Inge Røkke, the majority shareowner of Aker Energy, and both organisations work to pioneer effective sustainable development and enable partners, businesses and other stakeholders to implement cutting edge environmental solutions.
As part of REV Ocean’s commitment to finding solutions to the global challenge of plastic pollution in the world oceans, the Plastic REVolution Foundation has been established to find the best opportunities to support Ghana and pilot solutions that can be scaled-up globally. The new Foundation is led by Erik Solheim, who is supported by a top-notch team of experts in this field. It is estimated that the cost of inefficient waste and sanitation management in Ghana equals 1.6 percent of GDP, or $290m USD annually. Plastic REVolution is currently investigating the feasibility of running a plastic-to-fuel plant in central Ghana based on pyrolysis technology which enables the conversion of plastic into smaller molecules that can be used either as fuel or to create new plastic.
At this stage, an initial feasibility study mapping current waste production, waste management, and the plastic economy in Ghana is being undertaken. The study is helping answer key questions related to which system for collecting plastic waste may enable a stable supply of appropriate feedstock, and which technology provider offers the technical solution most likely to succeed in the given context. Answering these questions is essential for determining whether it will make sense to move forward with the investment.
Aker Energy is a proud partner in this work. More information on the initiative is available on REV Ocean’s website.
By putting the spotlight on the importance of improving ocean health, Aker Energy is a partner in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water.
Fun fact: Did you know that H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is a member of Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg’s High-level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy?