Picture: Mr. Berzouki Abdel-Karim, the Technical Director of CIMAF Ghana Cement
CIMAF Ghana, in partnership with Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) has launched a programme to teach craftsmen in the informal sector how to use modern technology to improve their abilities in the construction business. This is part of the company’s effort to assist government in improving skills of Ghanaians
The Company, in collaboration with Kumasi Technical University’s Institute of Research, Innovations and Development (IRID) is providing knowledge and skills to 1,200 artisans within the informal sector through the TVET formal skills acquisition programme.
The Vice-Chancellor of KsTU, Ing. Prof Osei-Wusu Achaw mentioned at the inaugural ceremony that the construction industry is one of the direct beneficiaries of the University’s products but the University rarely gets such partnerships. As a result, He expressed gratitude to the CIMAF Group and urged others to emulate that shining example.
Mr. Berzouki Abdel-Karim, the Technical Director of CIMAF Ghana Cement, added that the Company was the first to introduce five (5) categories of cement to modernise the once overlooked grading system within the cement production sector. He further said that this training project is a step forward in upgrading craftsmen’s abilities by imparting formal training on how to properly apply materials for optimum value in the construction sector. He expressed his delight for the collaboration with KsTU’s IRID which he sees as a boost to Government’s effort to make TVET an engine of growth and a significant source of employment for the youth of this country.
The Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Hon. Gifty Twum-Ampofo also charged beneficiaries of the CIMAF-sponsored skills training programme to make good use of the opportunity to enhance their skills with modern technology to boost their knowledge in the construction industry. With the Government’s quest to make TVET an engine of growth and also provide a great opportunity for the teaming unemployed youth, she charged beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity and urged other companies to emulate what CIMAF has done.
The facilitators of the training programme which included Dr. Smart Sarpong, the Director of Institute of Research, Innovations and Development at KsTU, encouraged the various companies to come forward for more of such collaborations as CIMAF has started.
Picture: Hon. Gifty Twum-Ampofo, the Deputy Minister of Education in charge of TVET.