By Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Accra, March 13, GNA – The Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) and the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to undertake joint geological investigations in mineralised zones.
The five-year agreement, subject to renewal, would also enable the two institutions to pursue joint projects, and capacity building opportunities for their respective staff, as well as industrial attachment for students of the UENR to have field experience.
During the signing ceremony in Accra, Mr Isaac Kuuwan Mwinbelle, the Acting Director-General of the GGSA, said the MoU was historic and a significant step towards strengthening the collaboration between industry and the academia for sustainable mineral exploration.
The partnership, he said, would among others, enhance their capacity in areas of geo sciences and geo chemical soil sampling, while the students of the UENR hone their skills and expertise through industrial attachments to drive national development.
“The agreement will thrive on building the capacities of the students of the UENR to enable them to graduate with profound knowledge and practical skills of the field,” he said.
The Acting Director-General of GGSA stated that with the exploration of mining areas becoming a key feature of the galamsey fight, it had become necessary for the Authority to team up with relevant institutions to train more professionals in the field of geo sciences and geological investigations.
On his part, Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, the Vice Chancellor of the UENR, explained the point of convergence between the two institutions, and underscored the importance of exploring the country’s geological and extractive industries.
He stated that the partnership would help to solidify the relations between the two institutions and leapfrog from the arena of possibility to reality in terms of geological investigations and joint projects.
“It is in these formats that we need to accept that we share a common mandate to run joint projects in the areas of mineral resources exploration and exploitation where the GGSA have the field experience and technical expertise and so, we in the academics will be working together to achieve common goals.
The MoU, he said, would help the two institutions to exchange innovative ideas for the exploration of mineral resources as well as undertaking staff exchange and training programmes between the two institutions as well.
GNA
GRB