A workshop on the development of second Generation Biofuels in the country has been organised at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The workshop was jointly initiated by the Energy Technology Research Group in the University of Southampton, UK and the Institute of Industrial Research of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with the Energy Centre of the College of Engineering, KNUST.
It was attended by participants from the academia, industry, government and research institutions both within and outside the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis Momade, Provost of the College of Engineering and Chairperson for the opening ceremony, welcomed the participants and expressed his delight for choosing KNUST to collaboratively research into matters that would accelerate the development of the nation and the Continent at large. He added that the involvement of the University affirmed that, it has positioned itself as the principal catalyst for the development of the economic sectors in the country.
He was optimistic that the workshop would provide Scientific and Technological input to reduce the dependency ratio of Ghana on fossil fuel.
Mr. Rudolph S. Kuuzegh of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Minister, articulated his excitement for having organised a workshop of such kind at the time when Ghana has challenges on energy issues. He further mentioned that, although, Ghana hopes to commence production of Crude oil very soon, its output might not be sufficient to guarantee the future of energy requirements of the country. For that reason, it was apposite to pursue research and development activities that would provide alternative energy to sustain and supplement the already obtained ones.
He added that, since Ghana is abound with many agricultural residues such as maize straw and cobs, rice straw and husks, millet and sorghum straw, the country could use these to produce the second Generation Biofuels with the current technologies and techniques.
He anticipated that the Biofuels would not only serve as the alternative energy resource but also tackle the rate of environmental pollution in the country. He pledged that, the Ministry would continue to encourage such relevant and wonderful initiatives by the scientific research institutions.
The Director General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Dr. Abdulai Baaba Salifu reiterated that CSIR is particularly happy about the collaboration. He stated that, his institute is poised to tackle challenges and barriers facing the country as far as energy is concerned. Again, he mentioned that, the workshop would boost the institute’s research programme and establish a solid UK-Africa biofuel network.
He hoped the august meeting would discuss barriers such as the cost, distribution systems and standards of the biofuels and come out with recommendations that would overcome those barriers. He assured the participants that the organisation was ready to support the project in any way to ensure its success in Ghana.
