info@businessghana.com
Accra Technical University (ATU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Polytank Ghana and 5 Star Engineering Limited to develop a dedicated plumbing engineering programme aimed at addressing Ghana’s growing skills gap in the sector.
The agreement, signed in Accra, seeks to bridge the gap between academic training and industry requirements by equipping students with hands-on skills, improving their job readiness, and supporting the demand for highly skilled plumbing and sanitary engineers.
The collaboration is in response to persistent concerns from industry players over the shortage of qualified professionals in the plumbing field.
The MoU formed part of the institutions strategic focus on deepening industry-academia partnerships to enhance technical education and ensure students are adequately prepared for the world of work.
At the signing ceremony, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of ATU, Prof. Amevi Acakpovi, explained that while the university had long offered mechanical, electrical and civil engineering programmes, it had not trained students specifically as plumbing engineers.
He said the collaboration would pave the way for the development and accreditation of the country’s first dedicated plumbing engineering programme at the tertiary level.
Prof. Acakpovi said the absence of specialised laboratories has delayed the introduction of such programmes in the past, but this partnership would provide access to industry-standard workshops and practical training platforms.
The Managing Director of 5 Star Engineering Ltd, Frederick Kwadwo Asamoah, underscored the urgent need for well-trained professionals in plumbing and sanitation, describing the skills gap as a major setback for the country’s fast-growing construction sector.
“Plumbing and sanitation are critical to any infrastructure project, yet the sector continues to face a shortage of adequately trained professionals,” he noted.
He said the partnership with ATU formed part of the company’s long-term commitment to support technical education and ensure a steady pipeline of skilled workers to meet the demands of the built environment.
“For the past 18 years, 5 Star Engineering has been at the forefront of the country’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) space,” he stated.
Polytank Ghana, a key partner in the agreement, reaffirmed its support for the programme and announced plans to host students from ATU as part of a structured internship scheme.
The Polytank Ghana talent manager, Joseph Yartey, said the partnership would bridge the gap between classroom and workplace expectations.
The parties committed to working swiftly towards developing a full curriculum, setting up the necessary infrastructure, and obtaining accreditation for the plumbing engineering programme.
The institution hinted that the programme could be launched as early as the next academic year.
The partnership will further explore opportunities for certification programmes, short courses and professional training workshops that could serve artisans, technicians and practising engineers who wish to upskill.
In the long term, the initiative is expected to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled labour, support local industries, and help reframe the public perception of plumbing as a valuable, high-impact engineering field that is central to national development, environmental safety and public health.
