The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is taking steps to renew its partnership with the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE).

A delegation from ECREEE, including Mr. Claudino Franklin Mendes, Certification Expert and Coordinator, Rev. Ing. Dr. Seth Dzokoto, and Mr. Collins Osae, Program Officer, Monitoring & Evaluation visited the centre for an inspection as part of the renewal process.

Dr. Charles Sekyere, Coordinator of Short Courses and Chair for the Wind and Hydro Research Group revealed that the Centre had previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ECREEE in 2018, followed by the launch of a certification programme in 2019. The MoU expired in 2022, and efforts are now underway for renewal.

“We are in the process of renewal, and we made the application, and we are in the second level which is the inspection,” Dr. Sekyere stated.

Speaking on the certification programme, Mr. Mendes revealed that it operates at three levels. “Level 1 certification is for technicians, Level 2 is for professionals working in clean mini-grids, and Level 3 focuses on PV system design and installation,” he explained.

He added that, “By the end of next year, we will have Level 2 professionals. We have targeted seven countries and have trained around 176 professionals this year. We have already conducted two examinations in Senegal and Benin and plan to hold more in Guinea-Bissau and Togo in September, as well as in Nigeria and Cape Verde later in the year. This is why we want to bring Ghana in.”

Provost of the College of Engineering Professor Kwabena Biritwum emphasized the need for structured certification at district and regional levels. He stressed that the partnership could provide students with vital training opportunities, while also reducing risks such as fire outbreaks caused by unqualified technicians.

Professor Joseph Akowuah, Immediate Past Director of the Centre, underscored the timeliness of the collaboration, highlighting that the demand for certification is growing, particularly with requirements from the Energy Commission.

“It has come to a time where people need to get these certifications for technicians to operate,” he said.

He also mentioned the potential integration of the Centre's short courses into the collaboration.

The ECREEE team concluded their inspection at the Renewable Energy Solar Lab, the College Computer Lab, and the solar rooftop installation at the College of Engineering.