Obuasi Assembly Marks World Engineering Day with Skills Training and Innovation Programmes
The Obuasi Municipal Assembly has commemorated this year’s World Engineering Day with a number of initiatives aimed at promoting innovation, technical education and skills development within the municipality.
The event, held at the forecourt of the Assembly, brought together officials of the Assembly, representatives from the TCC International Centre for Innovation, Manufacturing, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (TCC-CIMET), artisans, mechanics, teachers, students and other stakeholders.
In her keynote address, the Municipal Chief Executive, Faustilove Appiah Kannin, stated that engineering plays a crucial role in infrastructure development, technological advancement and economic transformation.
She explained that the celebration was not only to recognise the global importance of engineering but also to empower people, transfer knowledge and inspire the younger generation to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology.
According to her, the Assembly, in partnership with TCC-CIMET under a cooperation agreement, has introduced several programmes designed to build local capacity and promote technical skills.
These include training for women in soap and cream production as well as bead crafting at the Assembly’s Business Advisory Centre to enable them establish small businesses and improve their incomes.
Mrs. Kannin further indicated that a mentorship and interactive learning session on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) was organised at the Assembly Hall of the Obuasi Secondary Technical School for more than 300 pupils drawn from basic schools in the municipality.
She also disclosed that 25 mechanics and auto electricians were given practical training in the use of technological instruments for modern automobile diagnostics and repairs to improve their skills and enhance their competitiveness in the automotive sector.
The MCE expressed appreciation to TCC-CIMET for its partnership and technical support, and also acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders including AngloGold Ashanti, educational institutions, artisans and community leaders.
In her opening remarks, the Municipal Coordinating Director, Joyce Akosua Angmorteh, emphasised that engineering and technical skills remain essential to improving infrastructure, promoting industrial growth and enhancing livelihoods in the municipality.
She explained that the activities launched to mark the day include STEM outreach programmes for students, capacity-building for artisans and small-scale miners to improve mining practices, as well as skills training for women and persons living with disabilities in soap making, cream production and bead crafting.
Director-General of TCC-CIMET and Professor at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Francis Davis, explained that the Technology Consultancy Centre was established to ensure that research conducted in universities is translated into practical solutions for industry and small businesses.
He said the Centre has over the years supported artisans in the informal sector through technology transfer and training, and is currently collaborating with the Obuasi Municipal Assembly to provide skills training to help create employment opportunities in the municipality.
Prof. Davis also appealed to the Assembly to support local mechanics to acquire modern auto diagnostic equipment through a hire-purchase arrangement to enable them apply the skills acquired during the training.
World Engineering Day is celebrated globally to highlight the importance of engineering in solving societal challenges and promoting sustainable development.
