The Volta River Authority (VRA) Academy has been granted accession to the African Network of Centres of Excellence in Electricity (ANCEE), becoming the eighth member to achieve the feat.

The elevation of the VRA Academy, almost four years after the process began, would enable it to provide tailored training to bridge the competency gap in power utilities in Africa.

ANCEE is an initiative of Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA) launched in June 2015 and made up of electricity generators, distributors and transporters in Africa.

It seeks to improve human capital development by providing capacity building in technical, leadership and managerial competencies for employees of member utilities of the APUA in order to enhance the performance of the power sector in Africa.

Mr Emmanuel Antwi Darkwa, the VRA Chief Executive, and Mr Abel Didier Tella, the Director General APUA, signed the accession agreement in Accra on behalf of their respective institutions.

Commenting on the deal, Mr Darkwa said the signing of the protocols was a landmark one and a demonstration of the VRA’s commitment to the regional agenda.

He said the agreement would allow the VRA to offer its 60-year long expertise and experience to the electricity generators, distributors and transporters in Africa.

It would also help raise the bar in training to ensure a well-functioning industry.

“The designation will provide cross-training for utilities, support network-tailored training for APUA members and intensify cross-border exchanges to provide power at a reasonable cost,” Mr Darkwa said.

He said the increase in technical capacities through adoption of best practices would enhance the provision of sustainable power to all.

On his part, Mr Abel Tella said the signing of the admission memorandum after a long process showed that the VRA Academy was on track to become an excellent centre on the continent.

He tasked the VRA Academy to use the new level to help bridge the competence gap on the continent.

In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Peter Amewu, the Minister of Energy, said the accession placed a huge responsibility on the Academy to provide relevant training and called on other institutions to lend support to enhance innovation.

He said government was undertaking various initiatives in the power sector to ensure the provision of affordable power for poverty reduction.

ANCEE, in its third year of implementation, has trained more than 7,000 staff of the African Power sector from all levels of responsibility, including leadership seminars in strategic governance.