The National Petroleum Commission has engaged the Canadian High Commission in Ghana on how to support the commission provide employable skills to the youth in the country.

Discussions centred on the number of people to be trained, the calibre of beneficiaries and the funding modalities for the programme, such as welding and pipe fittings, among others.

The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Myriam Montrat, disclosed this in an interview with the Daily Graphic ahead of the Canada Day celebration.
Canada Day, which marks the anniversary of the formation of Canada as a country, is observed on July 1, every year, but in Ghana, the celebration will be held on June 26, 2025, at the residence of the High Commissioner.

Ms Montrat said the trainers for the project would come from Canada, with the High Commission currently engaging the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Canada in that regard.

"This is a trade that is going to be needed in different sectors. We need welding and pipe fitting in mining. When you are doing things related to energy, you need welding and piping. So it's going to be beneficial," she said.

Partnering

The High Commissioner also expressed her country’s preparedness to support Ghana in the areas of governance, agriculture, human rights, energy, mining and education, referring to those as important components that could open doors of opportunities for those who would acquire skills in the specific areas.

Ms Montrat gave an assurance that, as the second largest donor in Ghana’s health sector, Canada would find ways to bring in other stakeholders - NGOs and the private sector to support the system.

Canada Day

Canada Day, which was formerly referred to as Dominion Day, is the national day of Canada.

Celebrated every year on July 1, it marks the anniversary of the formation of Canada as a country on July 1, 1867, when the British North America Act, 1867 (now called the Constitution  Act) came into effect.

Three separate colonies, namely Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada, which later became Ontario and Quebec, were united into one country called Canada.

The day was renamed in 1982 when Canada gained full independence from Britain.

In Canada, the day is often marked with parades, fireworks and concerts, among others.

In Ghana, the celebration would showcase some of Canada’s activities.

Ms Montrat, who is the first black woman Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, said the event in Ghana would be participated by Canada’s Minister of International Development, who would speak on the strong relationship Canada had with Ghana, including joint priorities and how they were working together as friends to achieve positive outcomes.