In a heated debate at the Africa Young Professionals' Workshop Energy debate, Ama O Sarpong, representing the Society of Petroleum Engineers Ghana section together with Yaw Frempong Koduah-Sarpomg and Philip Kwasi Banini, claimed victory with arguments on the readiness of Africa's young professionals to harness future opportunities in the continent's energy sector.

With esteemed judges including Deb Ryan from S & P Global Commodity Insights, Debo Fagbami, CEO of Xenergi Limited, and Chizeke Nwosu, an oil and gas industry expert, Ama O Sarpong's persuasive speech highlighted the challenges hindering youth participation and proposed actionable solutions.

Addressing the topic "As key drivers of Change, Africa's Young Professionals are not ready to harness future Opportunities across the continent's energy sector," Ama O Sarpong emphasized the lack of access to technical education and specialized training, with UNESCO statistics revealing that Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest out-of-school rate.

Furthermore, the debate shed light on the issue of inadequate funding for sustainable energy projects in Africa. Ama O Sarpong emphasized the need for increased commitment from governments, citing examples of China and Europe's substantial investments compared to Africa's limited funding.

The lack of supportive policies in Africa's energy sector was another crucial point raised by Ama O Sarpong. Drawing attention to the success stories of countries like China and Germany, where robust policies have driven youth engagement and innovation, Ama O Sarpong underscored the urgent need for similar initiatives in Africa.

In concluding remarks, Ama O Sarpong emphasized that readiness should not be mistaken for availability. While Africa's youth exhibit immense potential and passion, systemic challenges such as high unemployment, lack of supportive policies, and sustainable funding hinder their ability to fully harness opportunities in the energy sector.

The debate highlighted the pressing need to address these challenges to empower Africa's youth and unlock their true potential in securing a sustainable future for generations to come. Ama O Sarpong's victory showcased the expertise and determination of Ghana's SPE section, positioning them as leaders in advocating for youth empowerment and development in Africa's energy sector.

Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition has been held with the aim of promoting rich technical knowledge and state-of-the-art technologies relating to the energy industry and providing E & P marketplace for Sub-Saharan Africa.