JICA empowers ECG to Train Electrical Engineers from Nine African Countries

The Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, is empowering the Electricity Company of Ghana, ECG to host the second phase of the training of Electrical Engineers from Ghana and eight other African countries namely: Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda. The training is currently taking place at the Electricity Company of Ghana Training School, located in Tema. The training will span October 7 to November 22, 2024. The training is sponsored by JICA.

In his remarks, Mr. Oda Ryotaro, Senior Representative at JICA Ghana said: “JICA and ECG implemented a Technical Cooperation Project for Electrical Engineers Training for African Countries in 2016. Under the project, ECG Training Centre collaborated with Japanese experts to develop comprehensive textbooks and other training materials in reference to technical standard of the ECG and training materials of Japanese Electric Power Companies.”

He intimated that: “Last year, in an effort to share their knowledge and experience gained from the project with neighbouring countries, the “Electrical Engineers Training for African Countries (Phase 1)” was successfully co-organized by ECG Training Centre and JICA for participants from four countries in West and Central Africa. As a result of the impact of last year’s training observed during follow-up visit to participating countries by ECG Training Centre, this year, we are happy to expand to East Africa and cover nine countries on the continent. The aim of the training program is to improve the skills of technicians and engineers in Maintenance of Electrical Equipment and Distribution Planning, Design, System Protection and Control, respectively.”

The ECG Director for the Training School, Ing. Godfred Mensah appreciated JICA for the sponsorship and challenged participants to “not only master fundamentals of electrical engineering and power systems but also to explore how these emerging technologies can be applied in local contexts”.

Talking about how JICA and the Japanese government are empowering African countries and fostering the growth of the energy sector in Africa, Mr. Ryotaro revealed that: “In Ghana, JICA’s Grant Aid project for the construction of new substation in Tamale city is planned to start in 2025. We have also successfully completed reinforcement of substations in the Accra Central area as well as improvement of Power Distribution System in Tamale area and Sunyani area through Grant aid scheme in the past. Similarly, In Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania, JICA is supporting power generation from renewable sources as well as contributing to the improvement in transmission and distribution networks including Uganda.”

He also stated that: “In Sierra Leone, the Project for the Extension of Power Distribution Network along the Freetown Peninsula is being implemented while Technical Cooperation Project for Advanced Diesel Generator Maintenance is also under implementation to transfer sophisticated maintenance technologies for the maintenance of generator diesel engines.”

He concluded by admonishing participants: “I hope all participants will share knowledge gained here, with their colleagues and contribute to the capacity building of organizations. Your leadership and expertise are instrumental in advancing the development of the energy sector in your respective countries.”

Participants from the nine African countries will be trained on strengthening electricity transmission and distribution network, promoting the introduction of renewable energy and promoting energy efficiency. The training will help in developing human resources and strengthening human networks in the energy sector in the participating countries.

JICA’s approach for its support for the development of the energy sector in Africa as contained in information emanating from JICA Ghana through its PR Advisor, Mr. Kojo Williams, revealed that JICA strives to realize a society in which all people have access to stable, affordable, clean energy and resources to enable them lead productive lives. JICA is cooperating with all the nine invited countries using the following approaches: strengthening electricity transmission and distribution network, promoting the introduction of renewable energy, promoting energy efficiency, and developing human resources and strengthening human networks in the energy sector.