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EC sets its SHS’s renewable energy challenge in Upper East Region

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The Energy Commission of Ghana, as part of its efforts to tackle greenhouse emissions and energy crises, has set up a renewable energy challenge amongst Senior High Schools in the country.

The initiative seeks to prepare and unearth students’ talents on how to use cheap and affordable products to generate energy to tackle the energy crises as well as greenhouse emissions.

It is also aimed to develop the research skills of Senior High School students and promote technological innovation in renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as instil in students a passion for solving renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change challenges through innovative research.

In the Upper East Region, 10 Senior High Schools were selected, out of which 8 schools participated in the competition where the winning school will be competing at the National level.

The eight participatory schools excluding Zebila and Chiana Senior High Schools include Bolgatanga Senior High School, Navrongo Senior High School, Sirigu Senior High School, Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School, Bawku Senior High School, Bawku Technical Senior High School, Our Lady Lourdes Senior High School, and Gowrie Senior High School.

Speaking at the Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School in Bolgatanga, the Chief Programme Officer in charge of Bioenergy at the Energy Commission and also the Project Coordinator for the Senior High School Renewable Energy Challenge, Julius Nkansah-Nyarko noted that schools that have their projects selected will be offered a platform to showcase their projects at the Annual Ghana Renewable Energy Fair where the most outstanding projects will be awarded prizes.

He explained that “The 1st edition of the Senior High Schools’ Renewable Energy Challenge (SHSREC) was organised by the Energy Commission in 2019 in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) for schools in the Greater Accra Region. Twenty-nine (29) schools in the Greater Accra Region took part in the Challenge. The grand finale for the 1st edition of the Senior High Schools’ Renewable Energy Challenge High School Challenge was won by Ebenezer Senior High School with Forces Senior High Technical School and Manhean Senior High Technical School placing 2nd and 3rd respectively.”

Touching on this year’s competition, Mr Nkansah-Nyarko said the 2nd edition covers all sixteen (16) regions in the country.

He stressed that “This will include 16 regional competitions, 2 zonal competitions and the grand finale. Each region is expected to present the best ten (10) schools to represent the region during the regional competition. The school with the best project would be selected from each region to advance for the zonal competition with the best three (3) schools in each zone proceeding to compete at the finals during the 7th Ghana Renewable Energy Fair.”

Mr Nkansah-Nyarko said the Commission Commission in 2012 collaborated with the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) and the Technical Exams Unit of the Ghana Education Service to develop a curriculum for the training and certification of electrical wiring professionals in Ghana.

“The Electrical Wiring Training and Certification Programme seeks to create a network of highly skilled electrical professionals who provide services according to accepted national standards to ensure energy efficiency and safety of lives and property. About 10599 electricians and inspectors have been certified from 2013 to date.”

Collaborating with the Bui Power Authority, the project coordinator however assured participants and the public that it will be one of a kind.

A representative from the Bui Power Authority, Lawyer Akua Sakyi also noted that the authority aim is to support socio-economic development through the utilization of natural resources for energy generation in a safe, reliable and cost-efficient manner hence will continue empowering initiatives like this.

Upper East Regional Coordinator of the Science, Technology, Mathematics and Innovation Education Madam Faustina Agetara noted that the initiative was the first of its kind in the region therefore wish the participatory schools the best.

The Energy Commission under the Renewable Energy Act, 2011 (Act 832) is to promote the efficient use of electricity and renewable energy resources through public education, training and regulation of entrepreneurs in the sector, and facilitating the mainstreaming of renewable energy and energy efficiency technology issues into the curriculum of educational and training institutions including secondary, technical and tertiary level institutions.

Source:A1radioonline.com/101.1 MHz/Moses Apiah/Ghana

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