German President calls on Asantehene, Cuts sod for €5.6m green technologies centre at KTI
The German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The courtesy call in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region yesterday formed part of a three-day state visit by President Steinmeier to Ghana.
The meeting between the Asantehene and the German President, who was accompanied by some high-profile government officials, was held in-camera.
Also in attendance were some chiefs who included the Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebour II, and the Asafohene, Akyamfuor Asafo Boakye Agyemang Bonsu.
Although the meeting was behind closed doors, information gathered by the Daily Graphic indicated that it was cordial and fruitful.
Sources said the two personalities discussed many issues of mutual interest bordering on several sectors of the economy.
They pledged to work together in various sectors for their mutual benefit.
Similarly, the German business community, together with their Ghanaian counterparts, also held a meeting to discuss investment opportunities in both countries.
Exchange of gifts
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Knowing the Asantehene as a golfer with many years of experience, President Steinmeier presented a modern golf set to the Asantehene to solidify the bond between them.
In reciprocation, the Asantehene also presented a wooden stool carved with the Manhyia Palace emblem to strengthen their collaboration.
Sod-cutting
Earlier, President Steinmeier cut the sod for commencement of work on a €5.6 million Centre of Excellence for Green Technology at the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI).
The project is said to form part of the government’s agenda for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) transformation, which was already being supported by the German government.
It is expected to become a state-of-the-art centre for innovation, research and training in renewable energy and sustainable technologies.
When completed, the facility will have seven workshops – fundamental electronics, fundamental electricals, fundamental electrical and domestic electricals.
Others are refrigeration technologies, green technologies, mechanical assembly and sanitary installation and piping.
Appreciation
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, commended President Steinmeier for the project.
“When completed, the centre would contribute to improving livelihoods and addressing unemployment, particularly among the youth, in the country.
Mr Iddrisu said as part of President John Dramani Mahama’s reset agenda, the government was working on the development of a TVET policy and the establishment of a TVET fund as well.
He said the move was intended to support skills training to make meaningful contributions to national development.
For his part, the Director-General of the Commission for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Zakaria Suleiman, said the project would help in the training of high-quality skills personnel needed to contribute to Ghana’s growth.
He added that the centre would be a training ground for students of all technical institutions within the region and beyond.