By Kodjo
Adams, GNA
Accra, Sept. 25, GNA – The Accra Technical University
(ATU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Accra Metropolitan
Assembly (AMA) to undertake joint researches and projects to improve the
quality of life of people in the city.
The agreement is to provide opportunities for
training of both ATU and AMA staff, provide opportunities for internship and
training of students and as well provide skills development and training for
identifiable groups.
Both parties will identify pressing challenges
in the city, including sanitation, and traffic control and find proactive
solutions to them.
Professor Edmund Ameko, the Acting Vice
Chancellor of ATU, signed for the University while Mr Mohammed Adjei Sowah, the
Mayor of Accra signed for the AMA.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof Ameko
said the partnership would develop and promote tourist sites within the city,
identify and promote business opportunities to attract investors and organise
workshops, seminars and certificate courses.
The Professor stated that, the University, as
part of the agreement, would make available their skills and expertise and
facilities to the AMA for training, give information to AMA from the joint
research and disseminate regular feedback on the collaboration for improvement.
He said the collaboration forms part of the
University’s vision to a global excellence in competency-based and
practice-oriented training, applied research and technology transfer.
Prof Ameko said the University must play its role
in society by actively helping to provide solutions to improve the livelihoods
of the citizenry.
“We can no longer continue to bury our heads
in theories in the classrooms. Our beneficial outputs must be seen to be
creating jobs, creating wealth, producing food and improving lives”, he added.
The Mayor Accra on his part said he would
provide expertise for infrastructure development at ATU and offer internship
opportunities for students and staff of ATU for practical-based training.
Mr Sowah said the AMA would provide resource
persons for seminars for staff and students of ATU to advance local government
administration and expressed the hope both parties would adhere to the tenets
of the agreement for mutual benefits in improving the city and the country at
large.
In a related development, the Mayor also
signed a cooperative agreement with the Birim South District Assembly in Accra
to share ideas and experiences on best practices in improving the assemblies.
He said the agreement focused on sanitation
and revenue mobilisation, among others and urged other assemblies to follow
suit to build synergy to identify strengths and weaknesses to chart a way in
addressing the challenges.
He said it was imperative for all district
assemblies to strengthen collaborations to improve their responsibilities in
local governance.
Mr Richmond Amponsah, the District Chief
Executive of Birim South District Assembly, expressed satisfaction about the
collaboration and promised to commit to the agreement for their mutual
benefits.
GNA