Engineering Design and Manufacturing Infrastructure Availability and Supply in Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to assess the availability and supply of mechanical engineering design and manufacturing infrastructure in Ghana. In the study, the availability of engineering inputs were investigated using a questionnaire administered on suppliers/dealers in engineering inputs, local engineering materials producers as well as machinery design and manufacturing firms in the country. In addition, some amount of data was generated through personal observation. The survey revealed that most of the engineering materials and components available in the country are brought from outside sources as new or used inputs in various forms and sizes; however their quality and specifications are not known. It further revealed that, majority of the suppliers/dealers have very low technical qualifications with a large number of them having no background at all in relevant technical areas. To enhance the supply of machinery infrastructure in the country, government as well as the banks must assist the local industries to produce more of the inputs locally. The Ghana Institution of Engineers and the Ghana Standards Board should regularly organize in-service training for the suppliers/dealers in the country to enable them enhance their competencies and engineering literacy levels.