The North Rhine Westphalia State (NRW) in Germany has organized a five-day workshop in Kumasi in collaboration with the Energy Centre (TEC) of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The objective of the workshop is to support KNUST to become a centre of excellence for climate and resource protection by providing state-of-the-art studies, advisory services to public and private bodies and to serve as a show-room for environmental technologies. The State Chancellery of NRW with close cooperation of universities from NRW like Westfälischen Hochschule Gelsenkirshen, Technische Universitat Dortmund and other pertinent partners commissioned the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) to support the framework of cooperation.
Prof. M. Salifu who deputised for the Provost of the College of Engineering led the delegation to pay a courtesy call on Professor R. C. Abaidoo, the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources who acted on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor. The discussions centered around how best the project would benefit the university and the nation as a whole. Professor R. C. Abaidoo said he believed the project was of crucial importance and the university was ready to support the team for its successful implementation. He concluded by urging the delegation to work diligently to ensure that they met their goal and pledged his support whenever he was called on.
Micheal Funcke-Bartz, a Senior Advisor from Dortmund University and moderator of the five-day workshop, said the project which was established by the German Government would dwell on the vision statement of KNUST: “To advance in Science and Technology for sustainable development in Africa”. The main goal would be to ensure that KNUST became a centre of excellence for energy efficiency and waste management. He believed a good site would help in the success of the project. The project team also paid a courtesy call on the Mayor of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to initiate discussions in developing a concept for environmental education for primary schools in the Metropolis.
Prof. A. Addo, the Acting Director of the Energy Centre, KNUST, was present at the meeting.
