The Institute of Industrial Research (IIR), of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), is to provide technical support to artisans of the Suame Magazine to enhance their work.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between the CSIR and the Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organisation (SMIDO), has therefore been signed to identify and find solutions to the technological challenges facing the artisans.
Under the agreement, the CSIR shall conduct a needs assessment of associations in Suame Magazine, notably the foundry association, in order to understand what technological and knowledge gaps require attention.
Mr Pax Dzamboe, Head of the Business and Technical Services Department of IIR, signed for the Institute while Mr George Asamoah-Amankwaah, President of SMIDO, signed for his outfit.
The duration of the agreement shall be two years and may be renewed upon such terms and conditions as the parties may agree by mutual consent.
Mr Dzamboe said the IIR would work specifically with the foundry association in material selection and the introduction of induction furnaces for the production of better quality metal works.
He said the IIR would sensitise members of SMIDO on the benefit to be derived from integrating knowledge from the research community into the business practices and facilitate the procurement of equipment that would benefit the artisans.
Mr Dzamboe said as the metal industry was becoming more technically inclined, there was the need to train artisans in new technologies to make products more competitive in the market place.
Mr Asamoah-Amankwaah said SMIDO emerged from a consensus meeting organized by leaders of the various associations to adopt a common road map for development under the auspices of the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) Fund.
He said the Suame Magazine, which was recognized as the largest industrial cluster in Sub-Saharan Africa, needed to adopt creativity and innovations in their operations.
He was however optimistic that the MOU would help the artisans to make a breakthrough in their operations.