Georgia Aerospace to open repair facility in Kumasi
As part of efforts to to improve the transfer of technology and innovation to Ghana, Georgia Aerospace Systems is working with the Minister of Aviation to bring a modern aircraft and Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) supply facility to Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.
Georgia Aerospace Systems, is a company in the US which was founded by Dr Thomas Mensah, a Fibre Optics Inventor and Nanotechnology expert.
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This came to light when a team led by President and Chief Operating Officer of Georgia Aerospace Systems, Dr Harold Jackson, toured the Boeing Aircraft Manufacturing Plant in Seattle, Washington.
Plant
The Boeing Aircraft Manufacturing Plant is where the 737 Airplane and the latest version, 737 MAX are assembled. At the Seattle Washington facility, Boeing produces 52 planes.
Georgia Aerospace is a protégé of Boeing (in mentor protégé relationship) and has worked with Boeing in this programme for nearly 10 years.
Boeing helped establish Ethiopian Airline as well as develop their MRO.
During the visit, members of Georgia Aerospace were briefed on how to set up airlines for African countries, including Ghana.
Georgia Aerospace will help Ghana’s Aviation Ministry to go on a similar tour in order to gain experience in aerospace technology, including setting up an airline and running it cost effectively.
Proposal
Dr Mensah and his team have already proposed an MRO to the Aviation Ministry to be located in the Middle Belt of Ghana.
According to Dr Mensah, graduates from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Aviation Sciences from University of Ghana would be trained by Boeing as Maintenance Engineers and Mechanics for the MRO.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has donated 23,000 acres of land for the project which will create 400,000 jobs and bring technology transfer to Ghana.
Dr Mensah recently launched Ghana Silicon Valley (www.siliconvalleygh.com) at the Kofi Annan ICT Centre which has attracted international attention and caused a Google Artificial Intelligence lab to be established in Ghana.
The centre will train 300,000 SHS students in software development and assemble drones in Ghana.
He has also worked on nanotechnology applications for Next Generation Missile Platforms, drones and Advanced Aircraft for the US Pentagon.