Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Technical Training School (EMETTS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), has been handed a state-of-the-art Mechatronics Training Centre of global repute, to equip vehicle mechanics, automotive electricians, refrigeration and air condition technicians, amongst others, with modern and cost effective engineering solutions, in the repair of equipment.
The new Mechatronics Training Centre was constructed and equipped by the German Armed Forces Technical Advisory Group (GAFTAG), and handed over to EMETTS at a ceremony on Thursday 7 December, 2024, at the EMETTS Centre, Burma Camp, superintended over by the Deputy Chief Staff Officer (DCSO), Logistics, Army Headquarters – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Kenneth Kweku Kwaah Kumi, himself the first and former Commanding Officer (CO) of EMETTS.
The Guest of Honour in his address, said the addition of the Centre – christened the THOMAS MULLER MECHATRONICS CENTRE – to the facilities of EMETTS, is a “game changer”, which will offer trainees the requisite skills to be able to diagnose and repair modern equipment, in an era of technological advancement.
Brig Gen Kumi said the partnership between GAF and the GAFTAG, over the years has accrued substantial benefits to many Units within Ghana’s military, EMETTS inclusive, with massive infrastructural projects in the school, such as a classroom office complex, a workshop, and a 160-bed accommodation unit which is under-construction.
He extolled GAFTAG’s Warrant Officer Class II (WOII) Thomas Muller (affectionately called Kwame Muller), in recognition of his outstanding efforts and commitment towards the establishment of the new facility, and magnanimously commended past COs – Colonels (Col) Francis Sasu, Busy Boglo, Eric Nyarko and Augustine Awuku-Anie, for sustaining the aspiration of establishing the School.
He further stated that GAF’s Military High Command is aware of the expansion drive of the School, which includes building more classrooms, workshops and offices, a one story block comprising a 200-seater auditorium at the ground floor, and a library and research lab at the first floor, towards delivering high standards of training of artisans, for the maintenance of equipment deployed within GAF.
The CO, EMETTS – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Emmanuel Ajedu Odoom, in his opening remarks, stated that plans for the establishment of the Mechatronics Centre, dates back to the era of Brig Gen KKK Kumi’s tenure as the Commanding Officer of EMETTS, with a final push by Major General Richard Addo Gyane, then Director General at GAF’s Department of Plans, Research and Development, manifesting the commencement of the project, some three years ago.
Lt Col Odoom revealed that, in order to ensure that the full potentials of the facility is realized within the shortest possible time, a Trainers’ Training course have been organized for thirty (30) Instructors of the School, and other selected potential Instructors within the Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME) Corps, since the completion of the Centre, some months ago.
He added that some of the Instructors earlier participated in mechatronics training at the West African Vehicle Academy (WAVA), whiles efforts are underway to develop a curricula, in line with that of the competence-based training of Ghana’s Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET).
He went forward to state the hope of commencing the running of various courses in mechatronics, at the Centre within the first half of 2024, some of which will be opened to wards and dependants of personnel of GAF, in line with GAF’s policy.
Present at the ceremony included Col JB Boglo, who represented the Deputy Commandant, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC); Acting Director – Col Henry Nditsi; Assistant Commandant, Tri-Service Schools, TRADOC – Col Lloyd Atror, GAFTAG Acting Head of Mission – Lt Andre Maass; Representatives of Accra Technical University, and the CTVET, Regimental Sergeant Majors, Instructors, and Students.
