GRIDCo engineers trained on effective transmission system

GRIDCo engineers trained on effective transmission system By: Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA As part of efforts geared at improving transmission system in Ghana, the Ghana Grid Company Limited, ( GRIDCo) with support from Korea Electric Power Cooperation (KEPCO) and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have organized a training programme for selected engineers in Tema. The purposes of the training, which was in two parts, one in Ghana and the other to be organized in Seoul in August was to enhance the management skills of trainees and enable them improve management in high voltage transmission systems and substation facilities. In all 20 engineers, comprising 17 GRIDCo engineers and three engineers from the West Africa Power Pool project participated in the training. Topics studied included project management, time management, procurement, supervision, safety and quality management. Addressing the closing session, the Director for Southern Network Services of GRIDCo, Mr Norbert Anku congratulated the trainees for embracing the opportunity to acquire new skills and urged then to effectively use he skills acquired for the successful running of their organization. He also encouraged those who will be perusing further training in Seoul August to make good use of the opportunity by acquiring the requisite knowledge and skills to enhance their capacity. He disclosed that plans were afoot for the establishment of GRIDCo training Centre in Ghana with support from KEPCO to complement the efforts of GRIDCo in providing the needed training for its workforce and also save as centre were engineers from West Africa who could come for training to enhance the constant development of the electricity transmission field in Ghana and West Africa. KEPCO The General Manager of KEPCO, Mr Kim Jae-youl, who led a team of five experts from KEPCO to train their Ghanaian counterparts, congratulated the participants for the successful completion of the first phase of the trading and said he and his team looks forward to meeting them in Seoul for the next level which will ultimately enhance their output. The Deputy Represenative of KOICA, Mr Yinseo Cho said the training forms part of a $1.5 million grant extended to Ghana to help enhance the skills and knowledge of the engineers on the energy transmission systems in Ghana. He said Korea sees development cooperation is a symbol of the relationship between Ghana and South Korea which has lasted over 30 years Mr Cho said the energy sector was one of various sectors, KOICA is supporting in Ghana with the other sectors being education and health. He said KOICA is committed to ensure that more of such assistance is extended to Ghana. -end-