Towards producing Ghana's second electric/solar car: SMIDO seeks help from KsTU
The Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organisation (SMIDO) on September 15, 2022, struck a relationship with the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) for "advanced and enhanced knowledge" as it prepares to produce Ghana's second electric/solar car.
The first, which was a collaboration between SMIDO and the Technical University of Munich in 2018, although successful, is yet to be fully operational following some administrative challenges.
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It was to strengthen the bond between industry and the academia that the electrical car, simply referred to as "A Car" was assembled at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), after the design and creation of the parts by SMIDO with support from the Munich University.
After a few trials, the vehicle was dismantled, sent to Germany to enhance its "solar panels" and for a possible large scale production but, that is yet to materialise.
Optimism
But the main engineer for the project and Executive Secretary of SMIDO, Albert W. Cophie, expressed optimism that the new partnership with KsTU will be the game changer.
The university, with the support of the Chinese government, has established one of the largest and modern engineering centres with all kinds of machines for both academic and practical use.
The machines include computer numerical control (programming for cutting machine parts accurately), milling machine (for drilling etc.) and vehicle wheel alignment equipment.
The centre is to offer free training on how to operate the modern machines, especially in the production of car parts to save the local artisans time and energy of producing such items manually.
SMIDO in turn is expected to give the engineering and technology students hands-on training in building their own "world."
Enhanced training
The Vice Dean for the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, KsTU, Dr Prince Owusu Ansah, said the win win partnership was tied into the general vision of the university to offer enhanced training to local artisans who hold the key to Ghana's transformational agenda.
He said the era of theoretical training was over, adding that it should be possible for a student to collaborate with a local artisan to produce something tangible before leaving school.
"Don't forget, we are a technical university and we have to prove our mettle and occupy our rightful place in the Ghanaian economy”.
Beyond the knowledge acquisition, Dr Owusu Ansah is optimistic the two partners (SMIDO/KsTU) can leverage on the relationship to generate income for both institutions.
Background
In 2013, a team of technical experts from The Netherlands supported artisans at the Suame light industrial area to improve their ability in the manufacturing of vehicles.
The support at the time was to harmonise engineering designs for prototype vehicles and help transform the enclave into a technological and advanced industrial area.
Following that, SMIDO was able to produce its first vehicle known as "Turtle 1" built in three months the same year.
It was a collaboration between SMIDO and Aardschap Foundation, also from The Netherlands.
Prior to the SMIDO breakthrough in 2013, however, Ghana had produced its first car in the 1950s (Patuo series) and later in the 1970s, under the leadership of the KNUST and built the popular Boafo car.