The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has reiterated its support in helping to enhance energy supply and for societies where all people can “have stable access to affordable, clean energy and resources where they can lead affluent lives”.
JICA hopes to achieve these through four main approaches; strengthening the electricity transmission and distribution network, promoting the introduction of renewable energy, promoting energy efficiency and developing human resources and strengthening human networks in the energy sector.
These were part of an address delivered by Suzuki Momoko, the chief representative at the JICA Ghana Office, as part of the opening ceremony of the Electrical Training for African Countries.
The programme was held at the ECG Training Center on Monday (30 October 2023) to kick-start the seven-week-long training programme
Momoko mentioned some projects JICA has undertaken in West Africa, as part of their commitment to the region’s energy sector. She mentioned their support for the reinforcement of substations in Accra and the improvement of the power distribution system in Tamale and Sunyani.
She said, “In Sierra Leone, JICA has been supporting stable power supply for Freetown and its peninsula”, adding that, “in Liberia, the Technical Cooperation Project for Diesel Generator Maintenance is currently ongoing”.
In his welcome address, the director for ECG’s Training School, Ing. Godfred Mensah, indicated that the centre was set up with the objectives of offering training to build capacity for local and international trainees, and to offer up-skilling, special programmes and on-demand courses. To this end, he added that “the centre has been accredited by the National Board for Professional and Technician Examination (NAPTEX) of Ghana”.
He added that “the centre is recognised by the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and JICA as one of their centres of Excellence used for capacity building of engineers within the West African Sub-Region”.
Ing. Mensah mentioned that the training centre and JICA have had a close partnership since 2010, collaborating to implement a Technical Assistance Project on Electrical Engineers Training for African Countries from 2013 to 2016.
The training programme was duly launched by the deputy managing director in charge of engineering and operations at ECG, Ing. Kwadwo Ayensu Obeng who is a product of the training school.
Launching the programme, he commended JICA for choosing the centre to run the training programme.
He indicated that “with the assistance of JICA, the centre has been equipped with first-class teaching facilities for both technical and non-technical staff in the energy sector”.
Ing. Obeng encouraged the participants, who have been drawn from Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia to take the training seriously, adding that, “for choosing ECG, you stand to gain from examples and case studies similar to challenges in your home countries”.
He tasked the trainees to ensure they would become good ambassadors of the ECG Training Centre while asking them to enjoy their stay in Ghana.
Asaase Radio 99.5 broadcasts on radio via 99.5 in Accra, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 100.3 in Cape Coast and on our affiliates Bawku FM 101.5 in Bawku, Beats FM 99.9 in Bimbilla, Somua FM 89.9 in Gushegu, Stone City 90.7 in Ho, Mining City 89.5 in Tarkwa and Wale FM 106.9 in Walewale
Tune in to broadcasts online: www.asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
Live streaming on facebook.com/asaase99.5. Also on YouTube: AsaaseXtra.
Join the conversation. Call: 020 000 9951 or 059 415 7777. Or WhatsApp: 020 000 0995.
#Asaase321
#TheVoiceofOurLand
#WeAreHere
#WeLoveOurLand
#SafeMotorway4All
