Accra, July 6, GNA - The Cape Coast Technical Institute (CCTI) has become the first educational institution in Ghana to be certified as Toyota Ghana Authorized Service Shop (TGASS).

The process took two years of some structural facelift and lessons in stock management, personnel development and management, customer relations and inventory control system.

There were also standard operating and safety procedures provided by Toyota Ghana, technical cooperation and installation of modernized diagnostic automotive equipment by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), according to a statement issued by the three institutions in Accra on Wednesday.

The statement said this was a good example of a fruitful partnership between the private sector, a development partner and academia.

It said as part of its customer satisfaction programmes to take its services closer to customers, Toyota Ghana had certified the CCTI workshop as TGASS in the Central Region after satisfying all the standard requirements.

CCTI was established in 1955 and as a technical academic institution has an automotive workshop.

However, according to the Principal of the Institute, Mr Ernest Henry Kojo Lyall, the automotive workshop was sub-standard.

He said the workshop lacked basic tools and proper management hence the request to JICA for assistance.

The statement said JICA provided free technical training to students and staff and upgraded their skills in the professional handling of Toyota vehicles.

"JICA assisted us to renovate and resource the existing workshop and transformed it into a modern automotive service point. Our students now have access to quality practical sessions at the workshop and are better prepared for industry, the job market or furtherance of their academic pursuits."

Mr Takahiko Takabayashi, Managing Director of Toyota Ghana, said: "We are happy to have CCTI fulfill all the requirements to become our Service Shop in the Central Region. Our customers in the Region can access quality service without travelling out of the Region."