A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) and the Ghana National Association of Garages (GNAG) has been signed in Kumasi.
The collaboration between the two institutions is aimed at training members of the Association and also to support their capacities.
Ing. Prof Robert Dery Nagre from KsTU noted that the Engineering Faculty of the University was privileged to be resourced to train its graduates in collaborate with the GNAG and make their engineers the best aboard and locally.
According to him, the Engineering faculty of KsTU would develop the people and certify them to demonstrate their capabilities and encourage the youth to go on internship to improve their work and orientations.
Mr. Solomon K. Andoh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Watergates Ghana Limited, who led the GNAG delegation for the signing of the MoU, gave an assurance of his outfit’s readiness to collaborate with the KsTU to achieve results for the individual members of the Association.
He expressed satisfaction with the available digital infrastructure and advised that the parties implement the MoU to the letter, since practical training needed the academia.
Prof Gabriel Dwomoh, Pro Vice-Chancellor of KsTU, stressed the need for the collaboration so that the signatories could manufacturer spare parts locally to salvage the fall of the local currency. He hoped the collaboration could enhance the automobile industry, ranked 5th, which is one of the biggest industries in Ghana, and the most attractive automobile market in the sub-Saharan Africa.
He disclosed that in 2021, the market value of the industry was established at US$4.6 billion, and this was expected to grow to$10.64 billion.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor said the importation of automobile parts had increased over the years, thereby putting pressure on the Ghana cedi, while the market value of automobile parts imported per year was estimated to be more than $500 million.
As a result, Prof Gabriel Dwomoh stressed that it was time the automobile industry collaborated with academia to pull expertise together to manufacturer some parts that could be used for the about 100,000 estimated vehicles that were imported annually.
He saw the collaboration as a win-win situation that would help both parties, and advised that the MoU be implemented without delay.
