Dr Karl Laryea (middle) interacting with a Czech Embassy representative and a former Minister of State
The Ashanti regional capital,Kumasi,will soon have electric light rail transportation, commonly referred to as the Tram system.
The introduction of the system, being developed by Knights Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of Knights a.sof the Czech Republic, forms part of the government’s effort to ease traffic congestion in the city.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of KnightsGhana Limited,Dr. Karl Laryea, said the project is in collaboration with the Ministry of Railway Development.
He said the tram system would operate three main lines to reduce travel time and improve the quality of the mode of travel currently available to commuters in Kumasi.
Dr. Laryea indicated that to make the project a success, a massive transfer of ‘Know-how’ to indigenes who would manage the system when built is needed.
“Knights a.s. has facilitated the signing of an MOU between KNUST and the Czech Technical University in Prague for Ghanaian Professors and Technicians to be trained in the Czech Republic who would intend teach Ghanaian students in the Engineering and Transportation Faculties of KNUST how to operate and maintain the Tram system,” he said.
He was speaking at the launch of the company’s 25thAnniversary in Accra.
Other Projects
He noted that the company has also developed a complete poultry project with breeder farms, which includes a hatchery of over 20 million eggs for day old chicks, feed mill and 16,500 birds’ capacity processing plant per hour.
“This facility when built would produce 30 percent of the poultry meat consumed locally, thereby reducing our dependence on foreign imports and supplies and creating jobs for the teeming youth of the country,” he said.
Already, Dr. Laryea said the company in 2019 signed a 47.5million Euros Export Contract Agreement with the Ministry of Roads and Highways, for the Finance, Design, Fabrication, Supply and Installation of 50 Composite Modular Steel Bridges in all the 16 regions of Ghana.
According to Dr Laryea, the bridge project is at various stages of completion and on schedule to be completed by May 2023.
In the agricultural sector, Dr. Laryea said Knights. a.s of Czech Republic through its first subsidiary BIGA International Limited in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture introduced two unique tractors called the GLOBAL Multipurpose Mini Tractor and CABRIO Compact Tractor for small and medium scale farmers.
Dr. Laryea said the company had also designed a rice harvester, thresher, two-disc plough, rotovator, mulcher and accessories suitable for the farming conditions in Africa.
“BIGA runs a tractor training school at Mfrebi- Aburi in the Eastern region where we train operators and trainer of trainees in the proper operation, maintenance and repair of all our range of farming implements,” he added.
Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwesi Amoako Atta, commended Knightsa.s. for their contribution to Ghana’s economic growth.
He said the country has benefited from a number of interest free loans which had led to the establishment of many project, particularly the bridge projects.
Trade Attache at the Czech Embassy in Ghana, Matej Denk, said the Czech government was more committed todeepening their partnership with Ghana.
He also commended Knightsa.s. for playing a crucial role in the transfer of knowledge between Czech Republic and Ghana.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri