Nestlé Ghana, Accra Technical University sign MoU to empower female engineering students
Nestlé Ghana Ltd and Accra Technical University (ATU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at empowering female engineering students and bridging the gap between academia and industry.
At the heart of the MoU is the establishment of the Nestlé Technical Training Programme (NES-TECH Programme) at ATU. Nestlé selected ATU for the partnership due to its strong reputation in technical education and hands-on training.
Through this collaboration, both institutions combine their strengths—ATU’s academic foundation and Nestlé’s global manufacturing and training expertise—to deliver impactful, industry-relevant development.
The NES-TECH is a global initiative already implemented in countries like Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. Its rollout in Ghana reflects Nestlé’s broader commitment to building technical capacity and ensuring that graduates are job-ready.
This initiative focuses primarily on equipping female students in Mechanical and Electrical/Electronic Engineering with both theoretical knowledge and practical, industry-relevant skills.
The programme will include structured internships, mentorship and career development opportunities at Nestlé Ghana’s Tema Factory, exposing students to real-world industrial processes, teamwork and project management.
Signing ceremony
The signing ceremony, held in Accra on Thursday, April 2, featured speeches highlighting both organisations’ readiness to embark on the initiative.
Representing Nestlé Ghana were the Managing Director, Salomé Azevedo, Head of Human Resources, Central and West Africa, Antoinette Arkoh, Resources Manager for Nestlé Ghana, Sophia Benson, Head of Talent Central and West Africa, Agnes Forson, Corporate Affairs Manager, Deborah Kwablah, Factory Human Resource Manager, Sheila Nantogmah, Production Manager, Beverages and Cereals, Frederick Owusu, Factory Engineer, Thibault Thiery and Talent ACquisition Manager, Central and West Africa, Joyceline Quansah.
On the other hand, the ATU was represented by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Amevi Acakpovi, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Felix Akutsanedzie, Registrar, Mr Adu-Adjei Mensah, Acting Dean of the Engineering School, Engineer Surveyor Dr Tina Wemegah Dzigbordi as well as Vice Deans and Heads of Department.
Closing gender gap
Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana Ltd, Salomé Azevedo expressed gratitude to both internal teams and Accra Technical University for their collective effort in bringing the partnership to fruition.
She describes the collaboration as the result of significant behind-the-scenes work and a shared commitment to progress.
Framing the initiative within the broader context of International Women's Day, she emphasizes that the MoU represents a meaningful transition from advocacy to tangible action in addressing gender inequality—particularly the underrepresentation of women in engineering fields.
Mrs Azevedo highlights the importance of moving beyond symbolic celebrations toward real impact, noting that the programme is a concrete step toward closing the gender gap in technical professions.
"As we close March celebrations on International Women's Day, nothing could be better to crown this than an action towards bridging and closing the gender gap that we have, especially when it comes to female engineers."
"So, this really makes me happy because we are materialising all of these nice, nice celebrations and promises that we make. We are now moving to action, and we are celebrating that," she said.
She expresses confidence that the combination of Nestlé’s manufacturing expertise and ATU’s academic strength will produce highly capable female engineers.
She concludes by reaffirming her optimism that beneficiaries of the programme will build successful careers and contribute significantly to Ghana’s industrial and national development, describing the partnership as both purposeful and inspiring.
Employment success
Head of Human Resources for Central and West Africa, Antoinette Arkoh emphasized the programme’s strong track record, revealing that similar initiatives have achieved a 100% employment rate for successful participants.
She said graduates of the training are highly sought after, with other manufacturing companies actively recruiting them due to their rigorous technical and practical preparation.
Mrs Arkoh explained that the initiative is part of Nestlé’s broader Global Youth Initiative, which aims to train millions of young people worldwide by 2030, with a particular focus on Africa due to its large and growing youth population.
She highlights the continent’s vast talent pool and stresses the importance of investing in skills development to secure the future workforce.
Expressing confidence in the Ghana programme, she assured stakeholders that it will replicate the success seen in other countries.
"And I know, not that I know, I know that it's going to be a successful programme, just as we had in Nigeria at the end of that time," she said.
Job-ready graduates
In his address, Prof. Amevi Acakpovi mentioned that the MoU signing is far more than a ceremonial event—it represents a critical step toward enhancing student outcomes and employability.
He highlighted the university’s core mission: equipping students with practical skills, confidence, and competencies that distinguish them in the job market.
He said while acknowledging ATU’s strong foundation in technical and vocational education, he emphasizes that modern training must go beyond traditional trade skills to include communication, adaptability, and real-world problem-solving abilities.
"For us, it's not just a ceremony. It's very significant. Our drive is always to lead our students to beautiful destinations, whereby they learn something that they are quite confident in their skills that will make them different on the job market," he said.
He commends the Faculty of Engineering for its efforts in building relevant partnerships and advancing student-focused initiatives. He also notes the scale of ATU, with a student population of approximately 36,000 across various programmes, which adds to both the institution’s impact and its challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor reiterates ATU’s commitment to quality education, continuous improvement, and global competitiveness. He highlights the university’s diverse faculties and programmes, particularly in engineering and applied sciences, supported by well-equipped laboratories and workshops that provide students with solid theoretical and practical training.
In conclusion, he assured partners that ATU students are well-prepared and capable, and that initiatives like the training programme will further strengthen their readiness for industry.
"I want to assure you, our students are well equipped with the necessary theoretical knowledge, and to some extent, very good practical knowledge as well," he said.
Overview
Presenting the overview of the MoU, Acting Dean of the Engineering School at Accra Technical University, Engineer Surveyor Dr Tina Wemegah Dzigbordi, highlighted the significant milestone marked by the signing of MoU between the two institutions.
She said the partnership is the result of months of engagement beginning in September 2025, including follow-up discussions and a visit to Nestlé’s Tema facility, reflecting a shared commitment to aligning academic training with industry needs.
She explained that the training cycles will last between three to six months, accommodating up to 20 students per intake.
Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive certificates and may be considered for employment opportunities, with exceptional trainees given priority.
Beyond student development, she said the collaboration extends to broader institutional benefits, including curriculum review to ensure alignment with evolving industry demands, joint research initiatives, and capacity-building opportunities for both faculty and Nestlé staff.
She added that importantly, the initiative emphasizes inclusivity by prioritizing female participation in engineering, contributing to national goals such as improving graduate employability, strengthening the technical workforce, and promoting gender equity in STEM fields.
"Together, we are setting a benchmark for effective industry-academia collaboration in Ghana. In conclusion, this MoU is more than a document it is a shared promise. A promise to empower our students, strengthen our institutions, and contribute meaningfully to Ghana's industrial and technical advancement."
"We thank the hard working ATU team and Nestle. We are elated to have this collaboration with you," she said.
Strategic partnership
In her remarks, Corporate Affairs Manager, Mrs Deborah Kwablah emphasizes that the newly signed MoU with Accra Technical University is a strategic partnership aimed at preparing young people—particularly women—for the demands of the modern workforce.
She mentioned that the initiative deliberately focuses on female participation in technical and operational roles, where women have traditionally been underrepresented.
She said by addressing this gender gap, the programme seeks to promote diversity, balance and the unique perspectives women bring to engineering and manufacturing environments.
