In efforts to sensitize the general public on corrosion and its critical effects on the environment, the first ever Corrosion Map for Ghana and Africa has been launched in Accra.
The Map launched by Corrosion Institute Ghana is to help identify how corrosive our current or proposed locations are.
Speaking of the importance at the launch, the President of Corrosion Institute Ghana, Mr Patrick Eshun indicated that, the map is to help in the reecommendation of which type of corrosion prevention or control materials as well as procedure to apply when building to ensure the achievement of maintenance goals among others purposes.
Explaining further, he noted that, corrosion is a chemical or electrochemical reaction between material(s) usually a metal, and it’s environment that, it produces a deterioration of the material and it’s properties.
Therefore acknowledging that, corrosion has still been a challenge in our daily lives, affecting assets, infrastructure, machinery, economy and even health.
This he says has been left unattended to that, it’s effects could be devastating to individuals, assets owners, firms, nations and the world at large.
According to Mr. Patrick Eshun, the NACE International’s Impact study puts the global cost of corrosion at 2.5 trillion dollars per annum, representing 3 to 4 per cent of GDP of the world’s industrialised nations.
However expressed worry that, well trained and experienced corrosion professionals are very limited in number that, only 20 percent of qualified members are 40 years of age or younger whilst almost 50 percent are 51 years of age or older.
“if these older professionals retire, there is a risk of a large amount of this knowledge being lost”, he asserted.
Indicating that, it is against this backdrop that Corrosion Ghana Institute Ghana (CorrIGh) is established to undertake Research, Consultancy and Training including NACE Training here in Ghana.”
“Hitherto, the crucial role of corrosion prevention or control in organisations value chain has often times been considered only as a last resort or ignored completely until danger calls,” he observed.
The Institute he said will also train students on corrosion that, he made a passionate call all donors and corporate institutions to support the course.
On his part, a Lecturer at the Accra Technical University College, Prof Amwi Acakpovi applauded the initiative and pledged the school willing to give CorrIGh all the support needed to make it a success.
And underscored the need to train the wider populace especially students about corrosion knowing the negative effects it has on the economy.
Meanwhile the President of Corrosion Institute South Africa (CorrISA), Creg Combrink who launched the Corrosion Map for Ghana and Africa also pledged his support for the initiative.
Source: Ishmael Barfi
