Guard hosts N.D. college officials in Ghana

Story courtesy of Bismark State College

BISMARCK, N.D., (10/7/09) - Two Bismarck State College officials recently returned from Ghana, where they met with education, government, and industry leaders to explore how BSC can provide energy education in this stable, fast-developing African nation.

Larry C. Skogen, BSC president, and Kari Knudson, vice president of BSC's National Energy Center of Excellence, returned recently from a week-long visit in late September. They were hosted by North Dakota National Guard Major Michael A. Holly, the bilateral affairs officer for the State Partnership Program.

The National Guard has had a presence in Ghana through the U.S. Department of Defense State Partnership Program (SPP) since 2004.

"The program has allowed the North Dakota National Guard to grow beyond its borders and develop a relationship that has facilitated understanding and growth for both Ghana and our state," said Amry Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general. "It has been a tremendous learning opportunity for the Guard and our service members and we welcome BSC into this ever-expanding partnership."

The National Guard SPP links U.S. states with partner countries' defense ministries and other government agencies for the purpose of improving bilateral relations, supporting the security cooperation objectives of the Department of Defense and the Department of State.

President Skogen and Knudson met with Ghanaian officials to discuss how BSC might assist in the country's development by providing energy education programs. Among the educators they met was the Pro-Chancellor of the Engineering College at a university in Kumasi, Ghana. The college had recently received permission to offer a diploma for technicians.

"Industries doing business in Ghana are in need of trained technicians," said Skogen. "We met with the plant manager of a cocoa processing plant in Kumasi, and they indicated interest in a possible partnership with BSC's National Energy Center of Excellence."

"This was an exploratory trip. We didn't know the needs in Ghana, but now we do," he said. "Our talks with the ministries of education and energy concluded with a planned document to determine a role for BSC through the State Partnership Program."

"A BSC partnership in Ghana would strengthen the State Partnership Program and would also expose our students and employees to another culture, even if virtually," Skogen said.

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