PartnerAfrika-Projekt KNUST Holds Workshop with Trainers on Project Sustainability

PartnerAfrika Projekt KNUST, as part of its efforts in integrating the project offerings into the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), organised a Trainer of Trainers Workshop, a significant and sustainable measure for the PartnerAfrika Projekt KNUST, focused on training faculty members to take up modules under the project. In partnership with Unternehmer Baden-Württemberg (UBW), the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), and Arqum—the workshop aimed to pass on the goal of fostering energy-efficient and environmentally responsible practices while bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator, PartnerAfrika-Projekt KNUST, noted the need for energy-efficient practices that protect the environment and ensure future generations’ well-being. Prof. Kponyo emphasised the destructive impact of illegal mining (locally known as "galamsey") on Ghana’s water bodies, linking the issue to the broader need for environmental stewardship across industries. He also pointed out that the workshop aimed to engage local capacity to sustain and expand the efforts started by Arqum. This activity is a strategic approach towards training successors who will uphold these principles and pass on the knowledge in KNUST.

Felix Nagl, Project Manager, Arqum, provided a detailed presentation on sustainability practices and their real-world applications. He introduced Arqum, a global leader in sustainability consulting, as the project’s primary environmental partner. He highlighted the substantial achievements of the PartnerAfrika Projekt to date, with several notable activities conducted to advance the program’s economic, ecological, and social sustainability goals.

He mentioned that continuous capacity-building efforts have been integrated throughout the year to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the PartnerAfrika Project. The project offers quarterly course content updates, regular practical evaluations, and a structured grading system to ensure that each cohort achieves intended learning outcomes. To monitor their progress, participants can access flexible learning formats, including online and in-person lectures, video recordings, and midterm assessments.

Prof Kponyo, in closing the session, reiterated the importance of maintaining strong partnerships to continue building on the project’s progress and underscored the commitment to sustainable development and environmental responsibility within Ghana’s industrial sectors.

The Partner Afrika-Projekt is within the framework of the Special Initiative on Training and Job Creation between Unternehmer Baden-Württemberg (UBW), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The project aims to enable KNUST, AGI and local partners to offer innovative services to their members (with a focus on sustainable production and digitalisation), creating jobs and income in the industrial sector, particularly with SMEs and bridging the gap between industry and academia.