Ms. Faustilove Appiah Kannin (middle) flanked by Joyce Akosua Angmorteh (3rd left) and Prof. Francis Davis (3rd from right)
The Obuasi Municipal Assembly has commemorated this year’s World Engineering Day with a series of programmes aimed at promoting innovation, technical education and skills development in the municipality.
The event, held at the forecourt of the Assembly, brought together municipal authorities, representatives of Technology Consultancy Centre (TCC) – International Centre for Innovation, Manufacturing, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (TCC-CIMET), artisans, mechanics, students, teachers and other stakeholders.
Delivering the keynote address, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Faustilove Appiah Kannin, said the celebration recognises the important role engineering plays in advancing development, improving livelihoods and driving innovation across the world.
According to her, engineering continues to be central to infrastructure development, technological progress and economic transformation.
She explained that the celebration in Obuasi goes beyond marking the global event, stressing that it is also aimed at empowering people, transferring knowledge and inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.
The MCE disclosed that the Assembly, in partnership with experts from TCC-CIMET under a cooperation agreement, has rolled out several programmes to build local capacities and promote technical skills.
These include the training of women in local soap making and cream production as well as bead crafting at the business advisory centre of the Assembly to help support entrepreneurship and improve household incomes.
Mrs. Kannin also noted 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 selected from various basic schools in the municipality.
She added that 25 mechanics and auto electricians were also trained on the use of technological instruments in modern automobile diagnostics and repairs to enhance their skills and enable them remain competitive in the evolving automotive industry.
The MCE expressed appreciation to TCC-CIMET for its collaboration and technical support, and also acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders including AngloGold Ashanti, educational institutions, artisans and community leaders.
The Municipal Coordinating Director, Joyce Akosua Angmorteh, said engineering and technical skills are essential for improving infrastructure, promoting industry and enhancing livelihoods within the municipality.
She explained that the Assembly and its partners have launched several activities including STEM outreach programmes for students, capacity building for artisans and small-scale miners, and 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, said the Technology Consultancy Centre was established to ensure that research carried out in universities translates into practical solutions for industry and small businesses.
He said the Centre has supported artisans in the informal sector through technology transfer and training, and is currently collaborating with the Obuasi Municipal Assembly to provide skills training in areas such as soap making, bead crafting and cosmetics production to help create employment opportunities.
Prof. Davis also appealed to the Assembly to support local mechanics to acquire modern diagnostic equipment through a hire-purchase arrangement so they can apply the skills acquired during the training.
World Engineering Day is celebrated globally on March 4, to highlight the role of engineering in development and innovation.
FROM David Afum, Obuasi