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VRA Academy joins elite association of corporate training institutions

Accra, Dec. 10, GNA
– The Volta River Authority (VRA) Academy has been granted accession to the
African Network of Centres of Excellence in Electricity (ANCEE), becoming the
eighth member to achieve the feat.

The elevation of the
VRA Academy, almost four years after the process began, would enable it to
provide tailored training to bridge the competency gap in power utilities in
Africa.

ANCEE is an
initiative of Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA) launched in June
2015 and made up of electricity generators, distributors and transporters in
Africa.

It seeks to improve
human capital development by providing capacity building in technical,
leadership and managerial competencies for employees of member utilities of the
APUA in order to enhance the performance of the power sector in Africa.

Mr Emmanuel Antwi
Darkwa, the VRA Chief Executive, and Mr Abel Didier Tella, the Director General
APUA, signed the accession agreement in Accra on behalf of their respective
institutions.

Commenting on the
deal, Mr Darkwa said the signing of the protocols was a landmark one and a
demonstration of the VRA’s commitment to the regional agenda.

He said the
agreement would allow the VRA to offer its 60-year long expertise and
experience to the electricity generators, distributors and transporters in
Africa.

It would also help
raise the bar in training to ensure a well-functioning industry.

“The designation
will provide cross-training for utilities, support network-tailored training
for APUA members and intensify cross-border exchanges to provide power at a
reasonable cost,” Mr Darkwa said.

He said the increase
in technical capacities through adoption of best practices would enhance the
provision of sustainable power to all.

On his part, Mr Abel
Tella said the signing of the admission memorandum after a long process showed
that the VRA Academy was on track to become an excellent centre on the
continent.

He tasked the VRA
Academy to use the new level to help bridge the competence gap on the
continent.

In a speech read on
his behalf, Mr Peter Amewu, the Minister of Energy, said the accession placed a
huge responsibility on the Academy to provide relevant training and called on
other institutions to lend support to enhance innovation.

He said government
was undertaking various initiatives in the power sector to ensure the provision
of affordable power for poverty reduction.

ANCEE, in its third
year of implementation, has trained more than 7,000 staff of the African Power
sector from all levels of responsibility, including leadership seminars in
strategic governance.

GNA

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