Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Technical Training School (EMETTS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has held a ceremony for one hundred and seventy-eight (178) personnel of GAF, to close its 6-months Basic Class III Course 1-2024 (BC III 1-2024) – a foundation course and first step for personnel of GAF to acquire a trade in the school.
The ceremony was held at the forecourt of the EMETTS, Burma Camp, Accra, on Friday 14 June 2024, with the Chief Guest being the Commandant, Training and Doctrines Command (TRADOC) – Rear Admiral Eric Adu, who was represented by the Director, Materiel – Colonel (Col) Joseph Busy Kwame Boglo.
In a speech, Col JBK Boglo said (EMETTS) remains one of the important schools under TRADOC, as the school that plays a critical role by training GAF’s artisans to provide the requisite equipment support for Ghana’s military, and builds the capacity of potential tradesmen to support the repair and maintenance of Ghana’s military equipment of electrical and mechanical engineering concern.
He expressed the Commandant’s delight at the military accoutrements manufactured by EMETTS, the improvement in the school’s facilities over the years, and hence predicted that the school would progressively unearth great potentials of many for the benefit of, not only GAF, but the nation at large, looking into the future, with the continued support of its partners.
On behalf of GAF’s High Command, he thanked the German government through the German Armed Forces Technical Advisory Group (GAFTAG), for their invaluable contribution towards the transformation of the School, and commended the affiliation of EMETTS to the Accra Technical University (ATU) and the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), for external certification for trainees.
The Commanding Officer (CO), EMETTS – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Emmanuel Ajedu Odoom, in his opening remarks, said BC III 1-2024 assembled on 14 January 2024, with a total of 179 students drawn from the three (3) Services of GAF, including Defence Civilian Staff, and one civilian, with details as follows: Soldiers – 144, Ratings – 17, Airmen – 4, Defence Civilian Staff – 2, and 1 civilian.
The distribution of students is as follows: Automotive Mechanics – 24; Automobile Electricals – 14; Driver Recovery Mechanics – 24; Office Machine Mechanics – 6; Electromedical Technicians – 9; Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanics – 51; Welding & Fabrication – 8; Auto-body finishing and spraying – 13; Weapon Technicians – 10, Clerk and Stores Administrators – 17; Upholstery – 2 (GAFTAG provided 2 sewing machines and accessories to facilitate the commencement of the upholstery course).
Apart from the military certificate, 95 students participated in 4 affiliate programs of ATU, and will be awarded certificates in Automobile Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning, and Welding and Fabrication, upon completion of their 3 months Industrial Attachment, which will take place from July to September, 2024, after which they will graduate from the University.
50 students also registered to sit for the CTVET exams in Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning, Office Machine Mechanics, Auto Body Spraying, Clerk Stores Administration and Driver Recovery Mechanics, with the CTVET examinations to take place from 14 to 23 of July, 2024.
Lt Col E Odoom, enumerating occurrences at EMETTS over the past half year, cited the maiden visit of the Commandant, TRADOC; a visit by delegation from Germany to assess EMETTS’ training requirements for continued support by the German government through GAFTAG; 2 week Pre-Deployment Orientation course for the maintenance teams, nominated to serve with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and the Interim Security Force for Abyei.
Additionally, there was a one-month mechatronics training for selected mechanics and electricians from the EME Corps; personnel from the Special Forces were taken through a 2 week expedient repair training at the school; GAFTAG organized training on a Geartronic Machine donated to both the School and Base Workshop;
Staff continued their Mechatronics training at the West African Vehicle Academy (WAVA); staff and students donated a 2-horsepower air-conditioner to the Arakan Medical Reception Station; and a 3-day Inter-Platoon Sports Competition.
The top three best performing students at the BC III 1-24 were Trooper Obeng Isaac Donkor – BEST; Lance Corporal Opoku-Afram Emmanuel Gabriel – RUNNER-UP; and Able Seaman Class One Kyei Mensah Solomon – THIRD.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony included; Director, EME – Col Henry Nditsi; Head of Mission of GAFTAG – Lt Andreas Heselscherdt; His Deputy – Captain Thomas Henry; Project Officer at EME –Warrant Officer Class 2 Thomas Muller; Head of Mechanical Engineering Department, ATU – Dr Moro Adams; past COs of EMETTS, Senior Officers, Regimental Sergeant Majors, and Instructors.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
