Skip to main content

JICA enhances capacity of electrical engineers in sub-region

 


A skills enhancement training for electrical engineers and technicians from four West African countries is underway in Tema, the Greater Accra Region.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organised the five-day exercise as part of its electrical engineers training for African countries project, under its technical cooperation support for Africa.

The training, which started at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Training School in Tema last Monday, is being participated by 28 representatives from power generation and distribution companies in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia.

It is aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of participants in the operation and maintenance of power equipment and distribution systems to improve the operational efficiency of their respective entities.

Significance

The Deputy Managing Director of the ECG in charge of Sales and Customer Service, Jones Ofori-Addo, said the training would build the capacity of the trainees to ensure that their countries enjoyed stable power supply.

He commended the JICA Ghana Office and the Japanese government for their continuous support to the country, including the training programme, which was initiated in 2013.

Power distribution

The Chief Representative of JICA Ghana, Yasumichi Araki, said his organisation was committed to continuing its support for the sub-region in power production, supply and distribution systems.

Read also: Stakeholders of Waste-to-Energy project hold consultation meeting

He said for nearly 60 years, JICA had cooperated with Ghana, Liberia, The Gambia and Sierra Leone, using Japanese technology to contribute to the economic and social development of the beneficiary countries.

Araki said the energy sector, particularly electricity, had been prioritised for many years under JICA's cooperation support.

He added that in Ghana, JICA used the grant aid scheme to implement a $38-million project for the reinforcement of power supply to Accra Central and a $15 million for the improvement of the power distribution system, which were completed in 2015 and 2018, respectively.

He added that $39.3 million was used for power distribution improvement in Sierra Leone and $20 million for the rehabilitation of Monrovia’s power supply system in Liberia.

According to Araki, every year, JICA provided technical training in Japan for officers and engineers in the energy sector to enhance their capacity.

For his part, the Director of Training at the ECG, Dr George Yaw Marfo, said although Ghana’s power generation and distribution had improved over the years, more needed to be done to deal with operational losses.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fitch Solutions retains 2025 growth rate projection at 4.2%

 Fitch Solutions has reaffirmed its projection that Ghana’s economy will expand by 4.2% in 2025. This estimate slightly exceeds the International Monetary Fund’s forecast of 4% and the World Bank’s projection of 3.9%. The UK-based research firm attributes its outlook to historically high gold prices, which are expected to cushion the Ghanaian economy against a global slowdown triggered by rising tariffs. Higher gold prices are anticipated to strengthen government revenue, enhance foreign exchange earnings, and help sustain currency stability. The report also highlights that Ghana is relatively less vulnerable to increasing trade restrictions from the United States, given that its primary exports—gold and crude oil—are not directly affected by the tariffs introduced by President Trump’s administration. Moreover, the US constitutes only about 4% to 5% of Ghana’s total exports. In contrast, Ghana’s trade relations are more heavily oriented toward China and European countries, particul...
Post a Comment
Read more

BoG injects $20m into FX market to support 11 BDCs

  The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has injected $20 million into the foreign exchange market in the latest round of its forward FX auction targeted at Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs). The intervention, which benefited eleven BDCs, is part of the central bank’s broader strategy to stabilise the cedi and ensure price stability in the petroleum downstream sector. Held on Tuesday, April 29, the auction was priced at a locked exchange rate of GHS 14.28 to the US dollar, with bid offers ranging from GHS 13.85 to GHS 15.55. This move reflects the BoG’s continued effort to deepen forex liquidity and safeguard the domestic fuel supply chain against volatility in global energy markets. By directly supplying FX to BDCs, the central bank seeks to ease pressure on the interbank market, guarantee the uninterrupted flow of petroleum products, and mitigate the pass-through effects of exchange rate fluctuations on fuel prices. The $20 million disbursement forms part of a $120 million programme for th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kenpong Travel & Tours Champions Breast Cancer Awareness During Customer Week

  As part of activities to mark Customer Week, Kenpong Travel & Tours, a leading travel agency in Ghana, is joining the global fight against breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the company is passionate about spreading hope and support to those affected. At Kenpong Travel & Tours, we believe that travel and exploration can be therapeutic and empowering. That's why we're committed to supporting our customers and the broader community in the fight against breast cancer. We're proud to stand in solidarity with breast cancer warriors and survivors. At Kenpong Travel & Tours, we believe that everyone deserves a chance to explore the world and create unforgettable memories. Let's prioritize health, support one another, and fight against breast cancer," said Kennedy Agyapong, CEO of Kenpong Travel & Tours. Our efforts are focused on raising awareness, promoting early detection, and supporting those affected by breast cancer. We urg...
Post a Comment
Read more