Ghana Air Force sources 90% of staff from KNUST

The Ghana Air Force would from next year recruit about 90 percent of its personnel from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Michael Samson-Oje says recruitments from the university would be scaled-up from the current 15 percent, in line with new entry requirements into the Ghana Armed Forces, which has been upgraded to degree holding personnel.

He spoke to Luv Fm in Kumasi at a presentation in aid of the Aerospace Engineering programme at the KNUST. As part of its 50th Anniversary, the Ghana Air Force presented four sets of computers and other ICT gadgets to support the programme. Aerospace engineering students are already provided an avenue for practical training at the Air Force.

Air Vice-Marshall Samson-Oje says the Air Force would need to step-up its partnership with the KNUST in the training of engineers and pilots.

“We intend giving one of our old aircrafts to the programme to help them in their studies. Hopefully that should be before January (next year). This is for practical purposes, engineering matters and not for flying… the engines and air-framing are in good condition to help them in their research”, says the Chief of Air Staff.

The Vice-Chancellor of the KNUST, Prof. Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, acknowledged the university would not be able to immediately provide the number of personnel required by the Air Force.

He however says the partnership between the two institutions has been mutually beneficial. “We have found this extremely useful and again one of our concerns has been how we interface with industry and because of what you did for us, we don't have any difficulty when it comes to practical training for our students. We've come this far and it is this partnership that we want to carry forward”, Prof. Adarkwa noted.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh

Development / Accra / Ghana / Africa / Modernghana.com