The German Armed Forces Technical Advisory Group (GAFTAG) has handed over a newly constructed workshop christened — ‘Thomas Muller Mechatronic Training Centre’, to the Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Training School (EMETTS) in Burma Camp on Thursday 7 December, 2023.

Mechatronics, a multi-disciplinary field that refers to the skill sets needed in the contemporary, advanced automated manufacturing industry. It deals with robotics, control systems and electro-mechanical systems.

The Centre has state-of-the-art training aids, electric vehicle repair and maintenance machinery that would offer cost effective engineering solutions to vehicle mechanics, automotive electricians, refrigeration and air conditioner technician trade courses pursued in the school.

The Guest of Honour for the occasion, Deputy Chief of Staff (Logistics), Brigadier General Kenneth Kwaku Kwaah Kumi, acknowledged the German government and GAFTAG for their immense contribution to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).  He intimated that the Centre has been established at an opportune time and explained it would equip technicians with the necessary knowledge in the repair of modern-day equipment.  He advised all craftsmen to take proper care of the facility and adopt proper maintenance culture.

The Commanding Officer (CO) of EMETTS, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Emmanuel Essilfie Odoom, stated that a-training-the-trainer course was organized for instructors and potential instructors within the Electrical and Mechanical Engineer (EME) Corps at the West African Vehicle Academy (WAVA) to equip them to run the Centre effectively.

He said efforts are being made to develop a curriculum for the school which would be in line with the competence-based training endorsed by the Commission for Training and Vocational Education and Training Centre (CTVET).

The CO was hopeful that various courses in mechatronics would commence at the Centre within the first half of next year, with some of the courses opened to wards and dependents of personnel of the GAF in line with the policy of the school and that of GAF.

The Centre was named after the German Warrant Officer Class II (WOII) Thoman Muller, the Project Officer, for his outstanding commitment towards the establishment of the Training Centre.