President Akufo-Addo has commissioned the Hohoe Technology Solution Centre (TSC), established by the Rural Enterprise Programme of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The GH¢6.07 million TSC, located at Gbi Godenu, is expected to support Government’s industrialization agenda, particularly the 1-District-1-Factory initiative.
The establishment of TSCs was conceived in 2017 by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, under the general plan to realign the Rural Enterprises Programme to be consistent with Government’s Industrialisation Policy.
Key Functions of the Hohoe TSC
The TSC is a primarily metal-based engineering and fabrication facility with two main sections i.e. fabrication and metal machining, equipped with modern machinery and tools to provide the technology solution needs of industries within their catchment.
The key function of the Hohoe TSC will include the production of spare parts and repair services for district factories and the oil and gas industry, the manufacturing of agro-processing equipment, and the provision of training for human resources capacity building.
It is expected to serve factories, artisans, and other customers in the following districts in Volta and Oti, including Hohoe, Afadjato South, Kpando, North Dayi, Jasikan, Kadjebi, and Biakoye. It will also serve as a training centre for technical based post-secondary educational institutions.
Facilities at the Hohoe TSC
Equipment installed in the welding and fabrication section of the Hohoe TSC include arc and spot welding sets, hydraulic press, metal sheet rolling machine, tube/pipe bending machine, box and pan folding machine, metal sheet hydraulic swing-beam shears (guillotine), and blacksmith machine.
For the machining floor, the following types of equipment are installed: center lathe, shaping machine, universal milling machine, drilling machines, power/hydraulic hacksaw, and grinding machines.
The Hohoe TSC has 10 big offices, 2 large classrooms, a showroom, spraying booth, kitchenette, and about 80-seater conference room.
Other TSCs
The Hohoe Technology Solution Centre is one of five Centres spread around the country, with the others located at Kumawu in the Ashanti Region, Savelugu in the Northern Region, Elmina in the Central Region, and Dormaa Ahenkro in the Bono Region.
Difference between new TSCs and Rural Technology Facilities
The five new TSCs are an upgraded version of and an addition to the original 26 Rural Technology Facilities (RTF) established by the Rural Enterprises Programme across the country, in collaboration with GRATIS and the host district assemblies.
The RTFs were established to serve as magnets for industrial activity and have been equipped to perform as hubs for technology promotion, dissemination, and transfer to the informal sector. They also provide skills training to master craftspersons and apprentices.
Their main roles and functions were to increase the productive capacity of rural producers and to promote the commercialization and specialization of agriculture within the framework of national economic growth.
How is the Hohoe TSC going to be managed?
The 26 existing RTFs have been managed in collaboration with the GRATIS Foundation and hosts District Assemblies. However, going forward, the Hohoe TSC, together with the other 4 new TSCs will be managed under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
Photo Report on Ceremony
