The Regional Transport Research and Education Centre Kumasi (TRECK) has launched the 2024 Innovation Week Celebration under the theme: ‘‘Promoting Transport Equity, Resilience and Sustainability’’ from the 25th to 27th March, 2024. The three-day event served as a platform to showcase ground-breaking research, cutting-edge technologies, and transformative ideas that are shaping the future of transport engineering.
In his welcome address, the Deputy Director of TRECK, Professor Yaw Adubofour Tuffour, noted that the celebration stood as a testament to the Centre’s commitment to driving innovation that has the potential to revolutionise the movement of people and goods in our part of the World. He stated that a series of activities have been meticulously curated with the aim of fostering collaboration, creativity, and exploration within the transportation sector. ‘‘These activities include panel discussions on the current challenges and opportunities within Ghana's transportation sector, alongside in-depth deliberations on sustainable transportation solutions and their viability within our national context,’’ he added.
Professor Tuffour also mentioned that participants will have the opportunity to engage in seminars, witness technology demonstrations, and learn from presentations by various teams that have dedicated themselves to conceptualising ideas with the potential to catalyse positive change in the transport space.
The Chairman of the Sectorial Advisory Board of TRECK, Dr. John Bernard Koranteng-Yorke in his remarks, stressed that the use of electric vehicles, and expanding public transit networks among other innovations are essential in promoting environmentally sustainable modes of transportation. He called for innovations in policymaking and governance mechanisms that support the implementation of equitable, resilient, and sustainable transportation strategies. “This may include promoting the use of electric vehicles, expanding public transit networks, supporting active transportation modes such as walking and cycling, and integrating renewable energy sources into transport systems,” he highlighted.
Dr. Koranteng-Yorke emphasised that innovations leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as intelligent transport systems, data analytics, and digital platforms, hold immense potentials to improve the efficiency, safety, and reliability of transportation networks.
Professor Francis Kemausuor, speaking on behalf of the Provost of the College of Engineering, encouraged participants to share ideas to drive the transport sector positively. “Engage with your peers, industry practitioners, and researchers, exchange ideas, and spark collaborations that have the potential to transform our world for the better,” he said.
During the launch of the celebration, a panel discussion and networking session were held on the current challenges and opportunities in Ghana’s transportation sector.
