A team of prominent UK auto investors have paid a visit to Professor Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS), to explore potential partnerships involving the use of the Toyota Ghana-University of Ghana Training Centre to produce spare parts.
This initiative was organised by the Jobs and Economic Transformation (JET) Ghana team, a programme of the UK government. Focused on generating employment and fostering economic transformation in Ghana, the programme is implemented by Palladium Group, an international business and management firm collaborating with investors and governments to address global challenges.
During the discussion, Professor Onwona-Agyeman, provided a concise overview of the University of Ghana and the establishment of the Toyota Ghana-University of Ghana Training Centre. He further outlined of the activities conducted at the Training Centre, since its inception last year.
He also identified a number of areas where the country needs to focus, including the establishment of a hydrogen production system using available natural gas, the establishment of infrastructure for charging electric vehicles, the provision of electricity for the installation of charging points and the management of the associated costs.
Prof. Onwona-Agyeman expressed his excitement for the visit adding that, by establishing this collaboration, there is a potential to extend its impact to the wider West African region.
Anupam Maheshwari, Exports Sales Manager, Comline Auto Parts Ltd., thanked the Provost for the warm reception. He conveyed the group’s keenness on establishing collaborations with universities by sponsoring students and faculty. Furthermore, he affirmed the commitment of the companies to recruit engineering students from the university following their internships.
The comprehensive discussion ended with a tour of the Toyota Ghana-University of Ghana Training Centre.
The team was made up of representatives from six Auto Investment companies, Matt Smith, Head of International Markets, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders; Ashley Fernihough, CEO, SMMT Industry Forum; Deshan Naidoo, CEO, Aqora Batteries; Anupam Maheshwari, Exports Sales Manager, Comline Auto Parts Ltd; Shane Kelly, CEO, Metfinn Ltd and Alistair Elder, Auto Consultant, Palladium.
Also present at the discussion from the University of Ghana were, Prof. Abu Yaya, Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ms. Victoria Anim, Assistant Registrar / Public Affiars Officer for CBAS, Issaka L. Tetteh – Monty, Nobilitas Co. Ltd and Eugene Sangmortey from Ghana JET.