To help reduce Africa's energy problems, the African Union (AU) and the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS), are to collaborate with the Energy Centre, KNUST to assist develop the capacity of manpower in the energy sector. In relation to this cause, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed.

The Executive Director for the ECOWAS Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, (ECREE), Mahama K. Appiah, noted that the obstacles preventing the growth of the energy sector in Africa was its underdeveloped capacity. It is in this light that  the AU and ECOWAS seek to develop the capacities of its member states through long-term  collaborative measures with its Universities to offer  holistic training to its citizens.

According to Mr. Mahama, the programme would cover all the stakeholders involved to meet its objective which would eventually help in establishing the African Union University. He also called on all stakeholders in Africa's energy sector to come together to ensure the success of the programme.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor William Otoo Ellis commended the AU and ECOWAS delegation for having confidence in KNUST and for the partnership. He stated that their coming to KNUST was in the right direction since KNUST's Energy Centre was a centre of excellence in Africa.

Professor Ellis was hopeful that the parties involved would be committed to the terms governing the MOU and would ensure its effective implementation.

Apart from KNUST, the Universities of Ghana, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde would also benefit from similar collaborations.

The MOU was witnessed by the Registrar, Provosts, Members of the University Council as well as representatives from the Association of Ghana Industries, the AU  and ECOWAS.