Nuclear Power Ghana has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ho Technical University for the training of students in nuclear power in the improvement of the human resource base in the country.
The Ho Technical University becomes the first university to have such an opportunity with Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG) for development of nuclear power after the President recently declared Ghana’s ready for nuclear power.
The Executive Director of the NPG, Dr Stephen Yamoah noted that his outfit will help in the provision of the necessary support to make sure that the Ho Technical University becomes the hub of successful human resources in the development of the nation’s nuclear capabilities.
Dr Stephen Yamoah noted that the declaration has given the Nuclear Power Programme/Project the needed impetus and calls for the expedition of activities of the project; significant among them is the human resource development which forms part of the nineteen key infrastructure issues.
“When we talk about infrastructure we mean a system that provides legal, regulatory, technical, financial, social , human and industrial support to ensure effectiveness of nuclear power plant” he said
The Director of Nuclear Power Institute, Prof Seth Debrah, in his remarks said it has become necessary to begin foundational courses for everyone in the university so that anyone by the facility or who stays near is made aware of its functions and things around it.
Prof Seth Debrah stressed the need to have some level of competence and capacity to help Ghana achieve its objectives of nuclear energy and assured that the institute is ready to train students into good professionals.
“The institute is ready to train students into great and competent professionals and also make the pivot of where technical capability is built,” he said
Board Chairman of the Nuclear Power Ghana, Prof B.J.B Nyarko said the Ho Technical University, just like the Nuclear and Applied Sciences of the Nuclear Institute has become one of the pioneers of a consortium of universities formed in the generation of the resources needed for the program.
Prof Nyarko noted that the program would help deepen the purview of nuclear education with the inclusive of safety and security education.
He noted that the MOU would help in the provision of the necessary proficiency of the staff for the program.
The Deputy Director of Nuclear Power , Dr Achibold Buah –Kwofie, in his remarks said the collaboration will lead the two institutions supporting HTU to design new programs to help develop part of the needed human resource require for Ghana’s nuclear program
“Earlier this year, NPG and GAEC approached HTU management to establish a collaboration that will lead to the two institutions supporting HTU to design new programs to help develop part of the needed Human resource required for Ghana’s nuclear program,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor of the Ho Technical University, Prof Ben Hoenyenuga assured the university’s preparedness to roll out bachelor, doctorate and technicians level proficiency based programs in nuclear sciences which he noted is affiliated with the university’s technical education mandate.
“We are very much prepared and eager to start the program immediately “Prof Hoenyenuga said.
He noted that, the program will help the university take dominance of the program.
Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG) is the project organization set up to manage Ghana’s first nuclear power project.
NPG has been designated to be the eventual owner and operator of Ghana’s first Nuclear Power Plant.
Activities of the organization began in 2018 when some staff of Volta River Authority (VRA), Bui Power Authority (BPA), and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) were co-opted to form an initial core staff.
In July 2019, NPG was duly registered under the Companies Code of Ghana as a Limited Liability Company.
The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission is committed to its function of partnering other tertiary institutions like HTU to develop the needed education and training curriculum for human resource development.
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