The youths have been urged to equip themselves with employable skills that would enable them to participate in the Oil and Gas Industry.

“Ghana is a young country with more than 50 per cent of the total population below the age of 25 years and the discovery of oil provides job avenues for them. The revenue of the oil must, therefore, be channeled appropriately to meet the needs of the young people”.

Ms Ruby Sandhu-Rojon, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana made the recommendation at the opening of a two-day conference on Oil and Gas in Accra, on Tuesday.

The conference, which is on the theme “Engendering Youth Participation in Ghana’s Oil and Gas Economy," would have participants discussing some issues on youth participant in national development, the role of civil society in achieving good governance in Ghana’s oil and gas sector, local content initiatives in Ghana’s oil and gas industry and a career guide to the oil and gas industry.

It is being organised by the Youth Empowerment Synergy, a local Non-Governmental Organisation, with support from the United Nations Development Programme.

Ms Sandhu-Rojon noted that the country needed to explore the best use of the oil and gas resources, though, it had been a curse than a blessing in some countries.

“That notwithstanding, we should continue our advocacy for authorities to use these limited resources for the benefit of all Ghanaians including the youth”.

The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Yammin Joseph, urged the youth to take advantage of the opportunity and develop their capacities for the emerging industry and pledged government’s continuous support in addressing issues concerning the youth.

Mr Eric Oduro Osae, Dean of Studies and Research at the Institute of Local Government Studies expressed the need to involve the youth in decision making to prepare them for the future since they were considered the most important assets of the nation.

Mr Emmanuel Edudzie Executive Director of Youth Empowerment Synergy said the conference would explore the relevant issues in the oil and gas debate and come up with workable actions and projects for implementations in all regions.