Trade and Industry Minister, Ms Hannah Tetteh on Monday inaugurated the Board of GRATIS Foundation with a charge on members to be innovative in restructuring their technical training to meet the needs of the country's emerging oil industry.
She said the Foundation could bring its expertise to bear on technical training of Ghanaians, especially those in the Western Region to acquire basic skills that would ensure they explore opportunities in the oil industry.
GRATIS Foundation evolved out of the Ghana Regional Appropriate Technology Industrial Service (GRATIS) Project, was established by the
Government of Ghana in 1987 and mandated to promote small-scale industrialisation in Ghana.
To accomplish this mandate, GRATIS established Intermediate Technology Transfer Units (ITTUs) now designated Regional Technology Transfer Centres (RTTCs) in nine regions of Ghana to transfer appropriate technologies to small-scale industrialists through training, manufacturing and the supply of machine tools, plants and equipment.
Instead of phasing out GRATIS after the establishment of the RTTC network, the Government and other stakeholders agreed that it should be
incorporated as a company limited by guarantee called GRATIS Foundation.
Ms Tetteh said the board must also not rest on its oars but endeavour to raise funds from other sources to support the promotion of Small scale industries.
She said it must also look at the Foundation three-year strategic plan and adapt it to ensure that the country derived visible gains from its
implementation.
The Minister urged the Board to work with other implementation agencies of the Ministry to ensure effective delivery on programmes and projects.
Dr Richard Bani, Chairman of the eight-member board said members would bring their diverse experience to bear on the task ahead to meet government's expectations.
He said the Board would also work with all stakeholders to meet the training challenges of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises as well as look for partners to train best skills for the oil industry.