A Solar-powered domestic overhead bio-digester plant to effectively manage waste and produce renewable energy at the Umar Bun Hatab (UBH) Islamic School in Madina, Accrawas yesterday inaugurated.
A bio-digester is a plant which uses micro-organisms to convert organic waste into renewable energy called biogas and other materials for cooking, lighting and as fertiliser.
Works on the 1.5 cubic metre bio-digester started in 2019 and lasted for 24 months.
Financed by the Global Challenges Research Fund through the United Kingdom (UK) Research and Innovation, it was jointly implemented by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Institute of Industrial Research (CSIR-IRR); the Lancaster University, UK; HATOF Foundation and other partners; University of Benin; Green Advocacy Ghana; Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited and the UBH Islamic School.
Speaking at the inauguration, Deputy Director, CSIR-IIR, Dr William Oduro said the project was in line with the vision of the CSIR-IIR, to develop technological solutions to meet life challenges.
According to him, the project was one of manybeing undertaken by the CSIR-IIR to address the issue of waste managementin the country.
“We have developed the anaerobic treatment systems that treat biodegradable waste and produce biogas as a result. We have also developed aerobic treatment of biodegradable waste from compost that can be used for soil conditions.
We also produce incinerator solutions that are able to treat very hazardous and non bio-degradableorganic waste,” he added.
He called on the citizenry to embrace technological and innovative projects to address the worsening waste management conditions in the country.
DrOdurosaid that the project highlighted the new paradigm of research where “the community is actively involved in the designing and implementation of the project.”
In a speech read on his behalf, Director General of CSIR,Prof. Victor Agyemangadded that “we wish this project should not go unnoticed and under the radar as mostscientific outputs do.”
He called on the government to replicate the project in other parts of the country whilst charging the media to throw more light on such projects.
Prof.Agyemang said in line with the government’s One District One Factory initiative, the Council would suggest tothe government to pursue“a one school one bio-digester plant policy.”
He asked the government to supportthe CSIR-IIR with the needed policy to establish more bio-digester plants to create jobs.
BY JESSEL LARTEY THERSON-COFIE
