CEESD l First Ghana Science Congress

President of Ghana commends CEE

President Mills discusses challenges facing research and development with CEESD members during a visit to the stand of the Energy Research Group of Kumasi Polytechnic

SD members
August 2, 2011

President John Evans Mills has commended CEESD members for spearheading technological innovations in Ghana. Prof. Mills made the remarks when he visited the exhibition stand of the Energy Research Group of Kumasi Polytechnic during the first Ghana Science Congress in Accra. The first ever science congress in Ghana was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) under the theme Water, Sanitation and Environment: Securing our Future through Science. The congress brought together leading research institutions in the country from the academia, research institutes, and the private sector. Participating institutions were given the platform to exhibit their research works to the general public.
CEESD members - who are also members of Energy Research Group of Kumasi Polytechnic - used the opportunity to inform the general public and the media on some of the innovative research projects such as gel ethanol, twig light, compost, biochar and solar dryers that it has been promoting over the years in partnership with international organizations such as GlobalResolve of Arizona State University.

CEESD members explain the concept of the twig light to Hon. Sherry Ayittey and some dignitaries from the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology

Some members of the Energy Research Group in a photograph with some senior high school students

Attracted by the impressive products displayed by CEESD members, the President of Ghana, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, led by the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Hon. Sherry Ayittey, payed a visit to the Kumasi Polytechnic exhibition stand. The President assured CEESD members that the government will set aside 1% of GDP to support developmental research and development in Ghana. He commended CEESD members for pioneering innovative projects in Ghana even in the absence of financial support. Hon. Sherry Ayittey promised the support of her Ministry to CEESD members and encouraged CEESD to develop more sustainable solutions to the numerous problems that the country is facing in the areas of energy, climate change, water and sanitation, and agriculture.
Other high profile dignitaries that visited CEESD members during the Congress include the deputy minister of MEST, Hon. Omane Boamah; the head of climate change unit of MEST, Dr. Acquah; the Rector of Kumasi Polytechnic, Prof. Nicholas Nsowah-Nuamah; a former Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana, Prof. Addae Mensah; the head of Civil Engineering of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prof. Esi Awuah; and a renowned professor of biochemistry and the chairperson of the national planning committee of the Congress, Prof. Marian Ewurama Addy.