Toyota Tsusho Corporation is partnering with other global corporations and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to build a world-class Transport Training Centre in Accra, Ghana, aimed at enhancing transport and logistics capacities across West Africa. The centre will inject new expertise into local transport markets, equipping them to deliver life-saving goods like food and medicine more efficiently throughout the region.
Bringing together other leading players in the sector, such as Carrier, Renault Trucks, the Government of Ghana and WFP will set up a first-of-its-kind centre which will offer free online and hands-on training to up to 400 people per year. Training will be provided on best practices in road transport, fleet management and the safe transport of temperature-sensitive commodities. Trainees will include staff from humanitarian organizations, governments and the local private sector.
“Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen how important strong and resilient supply chains are – and this training centre is a critical step towards building stronger supply chains in West Africa,” said Alex Marianelli, WFP’s Director of Supply Chain. “WFP has a long history in West Africa and we’re excited to share our knowledge and experience and – through our partners – provide access to the latest knowledge from leading experts.”
Increased local capacities and expertise in supply chain will, in turn, support WFP’s emergency and resilience-building operations in vulnerable communities across West Africa.
Construction of the centre is expected to commence later this year with the financial support of the Government of Japan, on land donated by the Government of Ghana as part of the existing WFP United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot operations.
Through the centre, partners and stakeholders aim to address the challenges hindering the development of the transport sector across West Africa, including lack of training opportunities and limited technical know-how.
Toyota Tsusho will be collaborating with Toyota Ghana Company Limited, Toyota’s authorized distributor in Ghana, to conduct training on vehicle maintenance and will provide equipment, tools, and parts for on-site training and e-learning materials for online training. Ahead of the training centre’s establishment, a ceremony was held for the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between WFP and Toyota Tsusho at Tokyo Kaikan on July 11, 2022.
Under the philosophy of “WITH AFRICA FOR AFRICA,” which aims to grow together with people and society of Africa, the Toyota Tsusho Group will contribute to the autonomous growth of the continent in ways unique to Toyota Tsusho through human resource development and value creation businesses for the future of Africa’s children.