Dissertation
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- 3.1. The Study Area
Research FrameworkFigure 2.10 Research Framework CHAPTER THREEMETHODOLOGY This chapter presents the detailed methods followed to collect the data for the study. It also involves the study area, sampling methods, descriptions of participants, sampling techniques, research design, data collection instruments, and methods of analysis used in the study. 3.1. The Study AreaThe research was carried out at six of the ten Technical Universities in Ghana, where the automobile industries are located. Ghana is located in West Africa along the Gulf of Guinea and has a total area of around 24 million hectares (ha). It shares borders with Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to the east. Ghana is a nation in western Africa that is located on the Gulf of Guinea coast. Ghana is one of the most important nations in Africa, despite its small size and scant population. This is partly because it has a lot of natural resources and is also the first black African country south of the Sahara to get rid of colonial rule and become independent. The land is a total of 238.540 km2 (92,101 mi2) and goes from north to south for 458 km (284 mi) and from east to west for 297 km (184 mi). There are 539 kilometres (334.9 miles) of coastline. Ghana is the 26th- smallest country in Africa and the 82nd-smallest country in the world. More than half of the population (58%) lives in coastal areas. Ghana is one of the lowest countries in the world because its average height is only 190 metres. The tallest peak is Mount Afadjato, which is 880 metres high. The country is made up of about ten islands. Ghana is divided into sixteen administrative regions. These regions are Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Western North, Oti, Ahafo, Bono East, Savannah, and North East, with Greater Accra as the capital city. Ghana's population is estimated to reach 31.73 million in 2021, an increase of 2.12% from 31.07 million in 2020. In terms of both population and population growth rate, Ghana is ranked 47th. In Ghana, there were 0.9 million births in 2021. That amounts to 2,456 each day, which ranks 33rd. More than 50 different languages and dialects are spoken by Ghana's many different people. Some of the most important language groups are the Akan’s, the Guans, the Ga- and Ewe-speaking people of the south and southeast, and the Moshi-Dagomba- speaking tribes. Ghana is home to a wide range of important resources. There are a lot of natural resources in the country. Resources include wood, gold, diamonds, bauxite, manganese, oil, limestone, bauxite, iron ore, and a number of clay and granite deposits(Achaw & Danso-Boateng, 2021). Ghana is one of the wealthiest countries in West Africa. This is in part because it is the second-largest gold producer in Africa. Even though it has one of the healthiest economies in the region, Ghana's industrial base is pretty developed compared to other African countries. It makes up about 24.5% of GDP. Ghana's government has made industrialization a top priority, and the country's industrial production is now growing at the 38th fastest rate in the world. The most significant manufacturing sectors include automotive manufacturing and assembly plants, electronics, electric vehicles, aluminium smelting, and more. Most products are for local consumption and exportation to neighbouring countries. The Ghanaian automobile market is dominated by a few foreign players such as BMW, Silver star Auto Ltd, (Benz), Japan Motors Company Ltd, (Nissan), and Toyota Ghana Ltd. Several vehicle companies are expanding their manufacturing facilities across the country including Indian automotive major, Mahindra & Mahindra Ghana Limited, which has enhanced vehicle production in the country. Apostle Safo Suaye Technology Research Centre (ASSTRC), which is run by Dr. Kwadwo Safo, is Ghana's only car assembly plant that is locally owned. The automobile assembly plant manufacture various brands of Kantanka vehicles including electric cars. Figure 3.11 Brands of Kantanka vehicles manufactures in Ghana These industries are set up with the objective of employing graduates from the local universities, especially mechanical engineering graduates from the technical universities, with digital base competency skills. This is because the megatrends driving the automotive industry focus on two central concepts: (1) the rapid pace of digitalization (connectivity, autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, new players from the digital economy), and (2) new standards (electromobility, sweeping changes in the traditional supply chain). The research was carried out at Accra Technical University (ATU), Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU), Ho Technical University (HTU), Koforidua Technical University (KTU), Kumasi Technical University (KTU), and Takoradi Technical University (TTU). These are six of the ten technical universities in Ghana, where the automobile industries are located. This would allow the researchers to obtain first-hand information on current digital skills training in mechanical engineering from technical universities as well as industry skill demand. Figure 3.2 The map of Ghana and the location of the TUs within the study area These industries are set up with the objective of employing graduates from the local universities, especially mechanical engineering graduates from the technical universities, with digital base competency skills. This is because the megatrends driving the automotive industry focus on two central concepts: (1) the rapid pace of digitalization (connectivity, autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, new players from the digital economy), and (2) new standards (electromobility, sweeping changes in the traditional supply chain). Download 2.1 Mb. Share with your friends:
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