Ho Technical University and Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Nuclear Science and Technology education.
The pact, which also involve the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), would among other things, facilitate the development of requisite human resource to support the Ghana’s nuclear energy programme, through the rolling out of programmes and courses in nuclear energy at the University.
The MoU comes on the back of months of engagements between the three institution on possible partnership.
At a brief ceremony at the F.O. Kwami Council Chamber on Thursday, 15th September, 2022, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ben Q. Honyenuga signed the Agreement on behalf of HTU, while Dr. Stephen Yamoah, Executive Director of NPG and Prof. Seth Dickson Adomako, Deputy Director-General of GAEC signed on behalf of their respective institutions.
In his remark after the signing, the Vice-Chancellor expressed delight about the partnership, and said the University was ready to blaze the trail in the training of requisite skills in nuclear energy and its related disciplines, to support the establishment of Ghana’s first nuclear power plant.
He indicated that, the University would immediately hit the ground running with a technical team, who would work closely with their counterparts at NPG and GAEC to roll out the first foundation course for faculty members on nuclear power programme.
“We are ready and willing to begin now. We want to be the first to introduce programmes from the technician level to the diploma and degree in nuclear sciences and energy, in line with our vision and mission as technical university,” Prof. Honyenuga stated while urging the partners to help in establishing a nuclear energy resources centre in the University to facilitate raining in the sector.
Dr. Stephen Yamoah, NPG Executive Director said the pact would foster a closer working collaboration between his institution and HTU to develop the requisite human resource for Ghana’s Nuclear Power Programme, which he said, was in its second phase.
He said the country’s first nuclear power plant is envisaged to be operational by 2030, hence the need to commence the development of requisite human resource for the sector, while organising stakeholder engagements to ensure public acceptance and support for the nuclear Project.
Dr. Yamoah further indicated, a recent executive approval given by the President, ,H. E.,., Nana Akufo-Addo for the inclusion of nuclear power into the country’s electricity generation mix, has given the needed impetus towards the realisation of the project. He was therefore, optimistic that, the partnership with HTU will deliver the desired results in that regard.
The Deputy Director- General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Prof. Dickson Adomako, expressed their readiness and support towards partnering HTU to develop the needed education and training curriculum for human resource development in the nuclear energy sector.
Board Chairman of NPG, Prof. Benjamin J.B Nyarko on his part, encouraged the parties to diligently deliver on their respective roles in the MoU, so as to see through the full implementation of the collective agreement.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prof. Seth Debrah, Director, Nuclear Power Institute, and other officials from NPG.
On the HTU side were, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Christopher Mensah, Registrar, Dr. Christopher Amehoe, other management members, including Directors and Deans.
About NPG
Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG) is the project organization set up to manage Ghana’s first Nuclear Power Project. It was established with staff from the Volta River Authority, Bui Power Authority and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, and designated to be the eventual owner and operator of the first Nuclear Power Plant, envisaged to come on stream by 2030.