Accra Technical University (ATU), in partnership with the Design & Technology Institute (DTI), has inaugurated a newly renovated and fully equipped Welding and Fabrication Centre in a major step towards revitalizing technical and vocational education in Ghana. The commissioning, held on Thursday, 22nd May 2025 at ATU, marks a critical advancement in the University’s commitment to transforming skills training and employment-readiness for Ghanaian youth.
The event attracted a host of dignitaries and stakeholders from academia, government, and industry. Among those present were Dr. Emmanuel Newman, Director for Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education; Mr. Clense Akpeloo, CEO of the Association of Ghana Industries and Chairman for the occasion; a representative of the Director-General of CTVET; Ms. Constance Swaniker, Founder and President of the DTI; and Professor Ben Honyenugah, Vice-Chancellor of Ho Technical University. Also in attendance were Professor Amevi Acakpovi, Acting Vice-Chancellor of ATU; Professor Felix Y.H. Kutsanedzie, Pro Vice-Chancellor; Mr. Adu Agyei, Acting Registrar; as well as other industry representatives, Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) members, representatives of sister technical universities, students, and the media.
Speaking at the inauguration, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, Acting Vice-Chancellor of ATU, noted that the inauguration was a proud moment in the university’s history. “This milestone is not an isolated activity, but one grounded in a national vision,” he said. “As stipulated by the Technical Universities Act, 2016 (Act 922), technical universities in Ghana are mandated to provide practical-oriented, competency-based training in science, technology, and applied arts. Today’s ceremony reflects that spirit, a strong demonstration of our institutional mission in action.”
He traced the origins of the partnership to a recommendation by Professor Ernest Winful, who introduced the opportunity for collaboration with DTI. “Upon his recommendation, I embarked on a technical visit to DTI where I met with their executive leadership. From that initial encounter, we collectively envisioned a partnership that could drive practical transformation at ATU,” he recounted. This led to the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 4th March 2025, which formalized the institutions’ commitment to Precision Quality (PQ) training.
Describing Precision Quality as a philosophy of excellence, Professor Acakpovi explained, “PQ refers to a high standard of accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail in the design, production, and delivery of goods and services, particularly within technical and vocational sectors. It promotes not just quality control but instills values of discipline, professionalism, and continuous improvement. PQ aligns perfectly with our education philosophy at ATU—education and training for employment and job creation.”
Under the collaboration, ATU’s Welding Laboratory has undergone a complete overhaul. “Our Welding Laboratory has been restructured and outfitted with 20 welding booths, complete with essential workbenches and equipment. Our Fashion Laboratory has also been fitted with 30 modern industrial sewing machines,” the Vice-Chancellor revealed. In addition, departments such as Electrical/Electronics, Hotel Catering and Institutional Management, and Management and Public Administration have benefited from extensive retooling efforts.
Professor Acakpovi emphasized the strategic role of academia-industry collaboration in national development. “When industry and academia work hand-in-hand, we produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also practically equipped for the demands of the workforce, often eliminating the need for further orientation or retraining,” he stated. He added that ATU’s five active Programme Advisory Committees (PACs) in Automobile Engineering, Marketing, Science Laboratory Technology, ICT and Computer Science, and Procurement and Logistics should emulate and replicate this collaborative model to ensure sustainable transformation across sectors.
The new centre is designed to serve a broader community beyond ATU students. “The centre is open to unemployed youth, TVET graduates, and other community members,” Professor Acakpovi disclosed. He further revealed plans to establish a dedicated Centre Management Team tasked with ensuring accountability, operational efficiency, and profitability. “This centre will serve as a key Internally Generated Fund (IGF) unit, strategically positioned to leverage services and partnerships to support both technical capacity-building and institutional financial resilience.”
In a passionate call to action, the Vice-Chancellor urged PAC members to replicate the model within their sectors. “Let us build a Ghana where training institutions and industries co-create solutions for youth employment and economic transformation,” he urged. He also called on ATU faculty and staff to optimize the use of the facility for training, certification, and industry-focused programmes. Furthermore, he appealed to government and policy leaders to consider scaling the PQ model to all TVET Centres of Excellence. “Embedding PQ as a national standard for technical training will dramatically raise the employability of graduates and reduce the industry training gap that currently affects job readiness,” he asserted.
In closing, Professor Acakpovi paid tribute to DTI and its leadership for their unwavering commitment to national development. “We salute your foresight, your agility, and your commitment to a better Ghana. May this be the first of many impactful ventures,” he said.
The commissioning of the Welding and Fabrication Centre at ATU signals a promising future for technical education in Ghana. It represents not just the opening of a new facility, but the launch of a transformative model where academic training is responsive, relevant, and rigorously aligned with the demands of the modern workplace.