President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo has inaugurated the commencement of the construction phase for a top-tier Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) Technical Training and Jewellery Centre at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa.
This training hub, financed by MIIF, stems from a collaborative pact inked with the University of Mines and Technology at the MIIF offices on August 16, 2023.
The partnership outlines four primary initiatives: the erection of an elite Technical Training Centre, which will house a state-of-the-art Gold Jewellery Making and Training Centre; a decade-long undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship initiative for women hailing from mining communities; and an annual speaker series, serving as a platform for scholarly discourse melding academia with industry expertise.
Scheduled for completion within eight months, the facility will encompass a 500-seat auditorium, lecture halls, a resourceful library, and administrative spaces to bolster hands-on programmes in metalsmithing, jewel technology, and the certification of jewellery to meet global standards.
Additionally, the centre will delve into the integration of artificial intelligence and innovative systems in mineral value augmentation.
Addressing attendees at the sod-turning ceremony, President Akuffo Addo emphasised that the establishment of the Technical Training Centre underscores the government’s unwavering dedication to fostering a resilient and sustainable mining sector.
“This centre will serve as a hub for excellence in mining-related education, research, and innovation, equipping our youth with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this critical sector,” he said.
The President highlighted that with the establishment of this centre, it is anticipated that a fresh wave of jewellers will receive comprehensive training, equipped with the skills needed to excel in their craft.
Additionally, they will be educated on entrepreneurship and equipped with the necessary abilities to transform Ghana into a leading jewellery hub for the African continent.
Expressing confidence, the President affirmed that this technical training centre will not only enrich the students and staff of UMaT but will also significantly propel the mining industry forward.
“It will provide cutting-edge training and research facilities, enabling the country to stay at the forefront of technological innovations and best practices in mining and mineral processing,” he added.
The MP for Tarkwa Nsuaem and the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, commended MIIF for the partnership with UMaT, which is going to elevate the university to greater heights, adding that the human resource contribution of the university to the mining industry cannot be underestimated.
He said, “The African mining industry can boast of seasoned professionals who are manning the affairs of both operational and policy handles, who were trained by the university.”
He believes that the establishment of the center will elevate UMaT to a global centre of excellence for training top-tier professionals in the downstream aspects of mining and related industries.
He emphasised, “It will also supply the essential human resources needed to keep pace with the rapid advancements in Ghana’s mining sector and the anticipated expansion.”
Expressing gratitude to MIIF for their sponsorship of the training centre, Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah noted that once completed and operational, the technical training centre will play a vital role in training the nation’s youth and equipping them with the necessary technical skills for the mining sector.