The Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies’ (MITDS) research into the production of charcoal and paper using grass received a huge boost this year.
In an attempt to help reduce the felling of trees for charcoal production, reduce the effects of climate change on the environment and provide alternative sources of livelihood for community residents, the Food and Agriculture Organisation supported MITDS with some Ghc400,000 to field test its research.
This came to light when the Founder and Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor David Millar spoke on the Day Break Upper East Show yesterday, Thursday, August 25, 2022.
“Early this year, we got Ghc400,000 from FAO to implement in 6 communities. 3 of them are in the Upper East Region. We are even supposed to do a conference on the progress so far by the end of September.”
“We are working in 3 communities here [Upper East Region], 1 in Upper West Region, 1 in Savannah Region and 1 in Brong Ahafo. We have gone from laboratory research to field implementation,” he said.
With the field tests highly successful, Professor Millar is encouraging young individuals with the capital to begin to invest in his idea. This he said would create jobs and opportunities for many.
Meanwhile, Professor Millar’s research on transforming grass into charcoal and paper is expected to receive a 4 million-dollar injection from a private investor. In line with the investment, a factory would be established in the Upper West Region to produce charcoal and paper from grass.
Professor Millar disclosed this when he spoke to Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show.
“An investor came and he wants to set up a factory. Right now, he has 4 million dollars to invest. He wanted to invest in the paper; I said no, do paper and then charcoal. [This is] because some of these products, it is the same input. You can maximise your factory. He was very excited and is mobilising.”
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
