Discover the career of a Mechanical Engineer working in Tarkwa

What industry do you work in and what exactly are your skills?

I work with Mechanical Engineering Department of the University Of Mines And Technology as a Senior Mechanical technician. I hold HND Mechanical Engineering and BSc Engineering Physics.

My skills include but are not limited to:

Technological preparations, CIM­ Computer Integrated Manufacture and Process control through the use of computer-based systems, liaise with management in manning the laboratories, managing maintenance and lastly the design and implementation of maintenance schedules.

What inspired you to get into this sort of industry?

What inspired me to get into this industry was to share and acquire more knowledge to position myself well in the competitive job market.

What qualifications and experience did you have to gain In order to establish yourself and therefore become a professional within your industry?

One has to gain Diploma or Degree in Engineering, preferably, Mechanical Engineering from a recognised institution. Another requirement is gaining significant field experience in Mechanical Engineering.

What is the most challenging aspect within your field of work?

The most challenging aspect of my work line is installing equipment (new or old) as a single Technician in charge of four Laboratories. With new equipment, the installation manual is critically studied and followed. Whiles with the old and existing equipment that has failed to function, equipment history is studied very well before a decision is taken in consultation with my superior who has worked in the Department for quite a long time.

How do you manage and overcome these challenges?

My career highlight: I have undergone much industrial attachment in mining companies in Ghana where I was taken through General plant and Pump maintenance, Data preparation, Evaluation and assessment of Safety performance. Upon attaining my Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, I worked as a Mechanical Technician with the then Ghanaian- Australian Goldfields Ltd, where I was involved with the general inspection on the plant equipment, preventive maintenance such as centrifugal pumps and positive displacement pumps, overhauling on plant equipment such as Kermix Screen gearboxes and agitators gear boxes.

If somebody starts as a trainee / beginner within your line of work, what could they earn in salary?

Trainee/beginner within my line of work can expect a salary of $3000.00.

What can this person expect to earn after 10 years of experience?

After 10 years of experience, one within my line of work can expect to earn $11000.00 as a salary.

Who is your role model and why?

Ing Isaac Boakye Adu Enin, an Engineering manager from AngloGold Ashanti Ltd (Tarkwa) is my role model. This is because after working under him, I found him to be well-mannered, enthusiastic, conscientious and extremely hard working.

What motivates you to work this hard?

The passion I have for my profession motivates me to work hard.

What is your outlook within your industry over the next 5 years?

My outlook over the next five years is to see myself at the managerial level in my industry.

As you know, numerous African countries are being invested in due to their rich minerals. Which country within Africa do you think will be the next hot spot and why?

Liberia will be the next spot to be invested in because the country has vast rich minerals.