Category: Education

A team of researchers from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have unveiled a groundbreaking method of producing high-performance batteries using taro (Kooko or Brobe) peels.

This cost-effective and environmentally friendly innovation, published in the journal Energy Storage, has the potential to revolutionise the energy storage industry by turning food waste into a renewable energy solution.

Dr Daniel Nframah Ampong, the lead researcher and a member of the KNUST Centre for Engineering Materials Research (KCEMR), explained the approach taken by the research team.

“We used an environmentally friendly approach to synthesise activated carbon from taro peels. These waste materials contain some properties or functional groups that we believed at the time would enhance the performance of energy storage devices,” he stated.

The study focused on converting taro peels into activated carbon, which was then tested for its effectiveness in energy storage applications.

According to Dr Ampong, the current market relies on activated carbons that are synthetically produced using toxic and hazardous methods. The KNUST team, however, took inspiration from traditional charcoal-making techniques used in Ghanaian villages.

“We decided to come down to our level and use the process of producing charcoal in our villages. We mimicked that process using crucibles, and at the end, we were able to synthesise the activated carbon, which had similar properties to the commercially available activated carbons,” Dr Ampong revealed.

The biomass-derived material demonstrated exceptional energy storage capabilities, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional battery components.

The innovation aligns with Ghana’s renewable energy agenda, as the country seeks to increase its renewable energy mix.

“The purpose of the research is to get some storage systems to store renewable energies when they are in excess so that when we need them, we would be able to utilise them effectively,” Dr Ampong explained.

The scientists believe that utilizing biomass and biowaste materials, such as taro peels, not only tackles environmental challenges but also drives the advancement of sustainable renewable energy solutions.

“We want to produce something that is eco-friendly with a cheap synthesis process, and the starting materials are locally available.”

Professor Kwadwo Mensah-Darkwa, Dr Ampong’s supervisor and Research Lead of the Energy Materials Research Group, highlighted ongoing efforts to harness biowaste for energy storage solutions.

“There has been a lot of development trying to use these biowaste materials mostly to drive our energy storage agenda. The plan is we want to get an eco-friendly way of creating materials for energy storage devices. This is what we are looking forward to at our lab,” he said.

Prof Mensah-Darkwa also noted that recent investments in laboratory equipment through the KNUST Engineering Education Programme (KEEP) have enhanced their research capabilities.

“We have equipment now where we can test these assembled cells. So now the output of our research is going to be quite effective, and we would be able to look at all other opportunities we have,” he stated.

However, he acknowledged that further material characterisation techniques are required to confirm the properties needed for specific applications, which the department currently lacks.

Looking ahead, Prof Mensah-Darkwa expressed optimism about the long-term potential of their work.

“We know that there is opportunity in this area, and if we build on our expertise, then we can now look at how to scale it up and make an impact. We are a little bit far from building our own batteries, but we are close to understanding how we can do these things locally,” he explained.

This pioneering research could pave the way for Ghana to develop its own battery technology using locally sourced and sustainable materials.

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has tasked an eight-member National Education Forum Planning Committee to help in finding answers as to how government can sustain the free senior high school policy.

He said the policy remained one of the boldest steps and reforms of the educational system, but acknowledged that the country was struggling with how to finance it.

“Can your committee help in finding answers as to how we can sustain this laudable initiative? And make sure that when we pledge that we provide feeding, we provide it timely, in quality and in the right quantities,” he told the Chairman of the Committee.  

The minister was speaking after leading the members of the committee to take the oath of office and secrecy to mark its inauguration and commencement of work.

Membership

With a two-week ultimatum to submit its report and plan, the committee is Chaired by a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor George K.T. Oduro.

Other members are Professor Goski Alabi, Professor Rosemary Bosu, Dr Samuel Awuku and Professor Smile Dzisi. The rest are Kofi Asare, Stephen Owusu and Inusah Shiraz.

Terms of Reference

As part of the Terms of Reference, the committee is to develop a theme and sub-themes to guide the stakeholder engagement, identify key stakeholders in the education sector, including students, parents, teachers, researchers, civil society organisations and development partners.

Other stakeholders are religious bodies, political parties, Ghanaian educational researchers in the diaspora, chiefs, heads of educational institutions, Parliamentary Select Committee on Education among others.

The committee is also expected to develop a stakeholder activity agenda with time allocations, propose a venue and date(s) for the forum, set up a secretariat to document activities and provide a budget for the National Education Forum.

Additionally, the committee is to develop a comprehensive report detailing the findings and recommendations of the forum, draft a national education policy framework and propose an action plan for implementing recommendations within three weeks after the forum and finally, consider any other issue relevant to the organisation of the forum.

Tertiary education

On tertiary education, Mr Iddrisu tasked the committee to also look at “how the country Ghana is responding to the future aspirations of the country.”

He observed that the country did not adequately prepare for the absorption of the exponential increase in numbers of the products of the free SHS.

Mr Iddrisu noted that residential and academic infrastructure were not adequate enough in any of the public universities, describing the situation as a challenge.

The minister said there were 150,000 to 300,000 Ghanaian students who naturally would have aspirations to access higher education and tertiary education. 

Challenges

He said as far as President John Dramani Mahama was concerned, “all is not well,” adding that the President did not pretend to have the answers or the solutions to the “myriad of problems affecting equitable quality provision of education to deserving Ghanaians.”

The minister said the Constitution in Articles 25 and 38 guaranteed every Ghanaian equal opportunities to education, but questioned whether that was the case.

“Is that the case? Have we attained free, compulsory, universal basic education? It is only your committee that can find answers to many of these questions?” he told the committee.

Mr Iddrisu further wondered what affirmative interventions the President and the Ministry of Education, through its executing agencies, could do to address the imbalances and disparity in the provision of equitable, accessible education at all levels of education.

In an acceptance speech, Prof. Oduro thanked the Presidency and the sector minister for the trust reposed on the members, giving an assurance that the committee would work within the constraints of time to deliver as expected.

The Chief Director of the ministry, Maamle Andrews, in a welcome address, explained that the members were carefully selected to ensure a balanced discourse on education and assured the committee that the ministry would do everything to ensure that their work was successful.

Students of Academic City University have successfully organised the institution’s first-ever TEDx event, fostering idea-sharing, insightful discussions and meaningful connections. 

The inaugural TEDx Academic City University event was on the theme: “Ripples to Waves: Creating Impact”. It featured student speakers, engaging conversations and valuable networking opportunities.

A dedicated team of 24 students led by Edem Fiifi Dawson as the Main Lead and Beata Nhyira Ackun as Co-Lead spearheaded the event, marking a significant milestone for the university. 

Platform

This initiative provided a platform for students to exchange ideas, spark innovation and drive positive change in their communities.

The speaker lineup featured prominent speakers such as Chief Executive Officer of EduSpot and Global Teacher Prize Finalist, Cat Davison; Entrepreneur and Gender Activist, Elinam Abla Horgli; Managing Director of Asante and Partners, Eve Asante; Co-Founder, NadeLi Creative, Eugene Awusi-Annan, and a student of the Academic City, Emmanuel Anti.

Speaking about the event, Mr Dawson remarked, “This event is just the start of something bigger. We want it to be a lasting platform where new ideas and great thinking can thrive. 

Ideas

TED is a non-profit organisation devoted to ideas worth spreading.

Started as a four-day conference in California 30 years ago, TED has grown to support its mission with multiple initiatives.

It is a programme of local, self-organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talk videos and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection.

Melchizedek Adio Baafawiise, a 13-year-old undergraduate student at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has taken a major step towards his aviation dreams, thanks to a generous invitation from businessman and aviation enthusiast, Ibrahim Mahama.

The young scholar, who is pursuing a BSc in Physics, was given the rare opportunity to fly aboard a private jet, experiencing first-hand what it feels like to be in the cockpit of an aircraft.

Melchizedek, who has been passionate about aviation from a young age, caught the attention of Ibrahim Mahama due to his exceptional academic performance.

The 13-year-old, who scored 5 A1s and 3 Bs in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), enrolled at KNUST to explore his academic interests before deciding whether to revisit his dream of becoming a pilot.

Impressed by his achievements, Mahama decided to support his journey by offering him a rare aviation experience.

During the flight, Mahama shared insights into the aviation industry and the process of becoming a pilot. Melchizedek was also invited into the cockpit, where he gained firsthand knowledge of aircraft operations from the pilots.

Beyond this once-in-a-lifetime experience, Mahama went a step further by pledging to cover all of Melchizedek’s tuition and academic expenses at KNUST.

This generous gesture ensures that the young scholar will have the financial support needed to reach his full potential.

Melchizedek’s parents have expressed their profound gratitude to Ibrahim Mahama for his kindness and willingness to support their son’s education and aspirations.

Melchizedek made headlines when he became one of the youngest students ever to enrol at KNUST.

His decision to study Physics was motivated by a desire to understand the fundamentals of science before potentially pursuing his dream of becoming a pilot.

With his talent, hard work, and the support of Ibrahim Mahama, Melchizedek’s aviation dreams may soon take flight in a way that inspires many young Ghanaians to pursue their ambitions.

The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) at Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region has held its fifth commencement lecture as part of its yearly activities to begin the academic year.

The event, which marks a significant milestone in the university’s academic journey, providing a platform for intellectual discourse, reflection and inspiration, was on the theme: “Forest for the future: Strategies for addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable development in Ghana”.      

The lecture brought together distinguished scholars, industry experts, policy makers and thought leaders who shared groundbreaking ideas and perspectives on issues relevant to environmental sustainability, sustainable development and global challenges.

It also highlighted UESD’s unwavering dedication to academic excellence, research and innovation, which reaffirmed the university’s mission as a centre of knowledge in environmental and sustainable development studies.

Dignitaries and students after the lecture

5th Commencement lecture focuses on climate change

Ezekiel E. Sottie Education Feb – 04 – 2025 , 09:572 minutes read

The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) at Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region has held its fifth commencement lecture as part of its yearly activities to begin the academic year.

The event, which marks a significant milestone in the university’s academic journey, providing a platform for intellectual discourse, reflection and inspiration, was on the theme: “Forest for the future: Strategies for addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable development in Ghana”.      

The lecture brought together distinguished scholars, industry experts, policy makers and thought leaders who shared groundbreaking ideas and perspectives on issues relevant to environmental sustainability, sustainable development and global challenges.

It also highlighted UESD’s unwavering dedication to academic excellence, research and innovation, which reaffirmed the university’s mission as a centre of knowledge in environmental and sustainable development studies.

Environmental challenges

The Vice-Chancellor of UESD, Prof. Eric Nyarko Sampson, who doubled as the Chairman for the occasion, in his opening and closing remarks, said the theme for this year’s event underscored the critical role forests played in tackling contemporary environmental challenges such as deforestation, climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.

He explained that the event highlighted the importance of sustainable forest management and policy innovation in Ghana’s quest for environmental resilience and socio-economic growth. 

Threat of SDGs

The guest speaker for the programme, Dr Seth Appiah-Kubi of A Rocha Ghana, who extensively touched on various aspects of the theme, said the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals was threatened by an array of escalating and mutually reinforcing environmental risks.

He said current projected changes in climate, biodiversity loss and pollution made achieving the SDGs even more challenging.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, who hails from the Yilo Krobo Traditional Area, lauded the UESD for the good work being done in the university since its establishment.

She said as a daughter of the land, she would do what was humanly possible as a regional minister to ensure the uncompleted infrastructure in the university were completed to promote effective teaching and learning.    

There were solidarity messages from GTEC, Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), among others. 

As part of the programme, a Rocha Ghana Award Scholarship Scheme was launched. 

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Edward Wiafe Debrah, pledged that UESD would work hard towards the scholarship scheme in the interest of the university’s students. 

EDULearn  Services Limited, a training and consulting organisation, has launched the first cohort of its Youth Entrepreneurship Academy, a dynamic initiative designed to address the pressing challenge of youth unemployment in the country. 

The one-week programme sought to develop skilled manpower through educational and vocational programmes that align with the needs of emerging industries.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Academy is specifically designed for post-national service personnel and unemployed youth, to equip them with the skills necessary to succeed in the rapidly evolving economy.

The initiative is meant to inspire young people by teaching them the fundamental principles of business, promoting an entrepreneurial mindset, and exposing them to the processes that make businesses succeed.

The academy is also focused on encouraging young people to explore creative and problem-solving techniques to adapt to the modern economic environment.

By offering hands-on training in various aspects of entrepreneurship, the programme aims to prepare participants to become successful business owners who can contribute meaningfully to the economy.

Essential

At the opening ceremony, the Executive Chairman of EDULearn, Prof. Ato Essuman, emphasised the essential role entrepreneurship could play in economic and social development.

He said small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represented about 94 per cent of the country’s industrial sector and were responsible for creating most of the informal jobs, especially in a nation where 80 per cent of employment was within the sector.

He pointed out that with about 60 per cent of the population under the age of 35, youth unemployment had become a national security issue that demanded urgent attention. 

Wealth

“Government does not create wealth; entrepreneurs do,” he said, calling for a change in mindset towards entrepreneurship as a practical conduit to job creation.

Prof. Essuman reiterated that the growth of businesses depended not only on knowledge but also on the support structures available to entrepreneurs, including access to capital and a stable business environment.

The Guest Speaker, who is the Founder and Head of Executive Coaching at Temple Advisory, Robert Bennin, emphasised that one’s career did not have to follow the same path as his/her degree and admonished participants who were mainly fresh graduates, to be open to exploring opportunities outside their field of study.  

He indicated that growth often came from stepping outside one’s comfort zone and embracing change.

“The skills you gained in school like problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking can be applied to a wide range of roles, even if they aren’t directly related to your degree,” he said.

Participants expressed optimism about their prospects, with many eager to embark on entrepreneurial ventures that can help address the unemployment crisis in the country.

The second cohort started yesterday, February 2, 2025, and runs through February 7, 2025.