Following an MOU signed between the Petroleum Commission and the Takoradi Technical University (TTU) to train and certify one hundred (100) Ghanaians to City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate, Council members of the University called on the Petroleum Commission to thank management for recognising and choosing to support the University.
Vice Chancellor for the University Rev. Prof. Frank Eshun stated that their visit was on the back of discussions with the Commission to facilitate the building of a world class Welding and Pipe-fitting Centre of Excellence, in furtherance of the Accelerated Oil &Gas Capacity Building Programme (AOGC).
Welcoming the delegation, Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Egbert Faibille Jnr., explained that delay with the planned projects was due to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary absence of a substantive minister for the sector who will grant approvals for such initiatives.
He stated that an official letter will be sent to the New Minister for Energy informing him about the project with the hope of it beginning next month.
“There is an urgent need for Ghana to have proper and sustainable welding certifications to become competitive globally, so it is essential for the country to have its own world class Welding and Pipe-fitting Institute and to have qualified teachers”, he reiterated.
According to Mr. Faibille Jnr., 16 teachers from a number of technical institutions in the country will be sent to the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) to begin training for ten months as Master Instructors to be able to train welding students in Ghana to sit for the American Welding Society and Canadian Welding Bureau Certification Examinations.
“The first batch of teachers have been interviewed, and the next batch awaits their interview”, he noted.
He revealed that negotiations have begun with NAIT for a small team to be sent to them to explore their facilities to have a fair idea of what is required to build a world class Welding Institute that would also stand as a regulator in the welding industry.
The Chairperson for the Takoradi Technical University Council, Dr. Mrs. Henrietta Abane stated that she was pleased to hear that the projects will be underway very soon.
“TTU is trying to carve a niche for itself in the area of oil and gas and if we want to be the best university in Ghana and beyond then we need such facilities to meet their targets.”, she noted.
She thanked the Commission on behalf of the Council for the warm reception and thoughts about the University whilst encouraging the Commission to keep-up with its great vision for the oil and gas industry.