A $1.6-million Welder Training Centre has been inaugurated at the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Accra to equip locals with proper welding and fabrication skills.

The state of the art training centre, funded by MODEC, in collaboration with Tullow Oil Ghana Limited, is expected to spearhead Ghana’s quest to become a major energy hub in the region.

It will be accredited by the American Welding Society (AWS) and will be used to train and accredit welders at different competent levels for the oil and gas industry and beyond. First of its kind, the centre is equipped with the best welding equipment and training technology in the sub-Saharan African region.

Also, to improve upon the electrical system of the RMU, MODEC, in collaboration with Tullow Ghana, has funded the installation of a new 2MVA transformer with associated switchboards and breakers. The 2MVA transformer, at a cost of US$300,000, can handle all expansion works currently going on at RMU, as well as in the years to come.

Mr Puneet Sharma, Vice President, MODEC International Inc reiterated the organisation's responsibility to ensure that the oil and gas industry benefit all stakeholders.

"We are investing to ensure that the right skill sets are available for the long-term benefit and development of the industry and to provide the locals the opportunity to fully participate in the sector," he said.

Mr Charles Darku, Managing Director of Tullow Oil Ghana, said education and capacity building remain high on Tullow Ghana’s agenda.

“For us at Tullow Ghana, Technical and Vocational Education and the creation of enhanced opportunities for participation by Ghanaians in the oil and gas industry have been an important part of our social investment strategy,” he said.

Inaugurating the facility on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama during the 10th Congregation of the RMU, Mr Fifii Kwetey, Minister of Transport, said the Centre’s establishment is a demonstration of government’s quest to provide the enabling environment for the training of locals to acquire the required skillset for the job market in the oil and gas industry.

“As more fields are developed there will be a need to augment the infrastructure to support these skillsets as well as the manpower requirements,” Mr Kwetey said. “This is the area where the oil contractors are likely to employ the larger majority of the man-hours and indeed, where the effectiveness of the local content and participation would be greatly impacted.”

He added that he was hopeful that the Centre will turn out well-skilled persons with the right attitude to carry the nation into the next phase of economic transformation.

10th Congregation of the Regional Maritime University

About 314 students graduated at the 10th Congregation of the Regional Maritime University.

Out of this number, seven per cent graduated with First class, 41 per cent with Second Class Upper Division and 30 per cent with Second Class Lower Division. Six per cent and 33.3 per cent of the diploma candidates obtained First Class and Second Class Upper Division respectively.

Professor Elvis Nyarko, the Vice Chancellor, Regional Maritime University (RMU), advised graduates of the University to go into joint ventures and pool skills and knowledge together in supply and logistics value chain businesses. He also urged them to take advantage of the enormous opportunities in the expanding maritime industry.

“What you earn today be it certificate, diploma or degree is good enough but entrepreneurship, integrity, hard work and innovativeness are also great pillars of success you can aspire for,” he said.