Audio Attachment:Listen to Kwesi Pratt Jnr. |
President Akufo-Addo on Sunday pledged his government’s commitment to increase the contribution of the solar energy to the country’s energy-mix.
Delivering a speech at the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance held in New Delhi, India, the President was concerned that despite the abundance of sunshine in Ghana, solar energy only contributes 1% to the energy mix, as opposed to 59% from fossil fuels and 40% from hydro.
He therefore assured that “on the basis of my country’s specific needs, Government is keen on developing utility-scale solar energy projects, as well as accelerating the development of mini-grid solutions in off-grid and island communities for lighting, irrigation and other economic activities”.
Addressing the government’s pledge to supplement the national grid with solar energy, Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper Kwesi Pratt noted on Peace FM’s "Kokrokoo" that the initiative is long overdue.
According to him, Ghana should have by now installed solar panels to harvest the sun and exploit it to the benefit of Ghanaians in order to resolve the energy challenges.
He wondered how foreign countries where the consumption of sun is unavailable are utilizing solar energy but Ghana, with over 75% of sunshine, didn’t come to the realization of the significance of solar energy till date.
In supporting the President’s call for the introduction of solar energy to augment the national grid, Mr. Pratt, in an openly unpleasant and carping remark, took a swipe at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
He questioned the University’s authorities and students' research capabilities asking “what happened to the Science and Technology?”
To him, KNUST should have been able to make solar panels and proposed the use of solar energy to government by now, but it appears they are not making their research in the field of Science and Technology useful to the growth of the energy sector.
“We have a University of Science and Technology which is more than 50 years but in the entire nation, we can’t construct a battery and solar panel…This is extremely disturbing…What happened to the Science and Technology?” the Senior Journalist barbed.
Mr. Pratt however tasked President Akufo-Addo and his government not to renege on their decision to use solar energy.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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His ignorance he has displayed it so many times. KNUST has been dealing in solar panels since 80s . it is not their mandate though. for your information MIT does not produce solar panels either. Universties are not meant to manufacture they provide the bedrock and knowledge foundation for manufacturing. all the training in panel use and maintenance is directly or indirectly linked to KNUST
Who told Kwesi Pratt that KNUST can't make solar panels? Does he have to talk on every issue?
WHAT HAVE HE (AKWASI PRATT ) PRODUCED AS GHANAIAN?
My people this one Kwesi is right too many universities no inventions.For example majprity of Chinese paliamarians have science background
If you Govmtn do mean to say previouse Govmnt or now and future ones.. Cos u could have help the nation by advising the Mahama Govmnt to do so for 5yrs straight rather than the corrupt processes of trying to resolve the issue
why is kokrokoo not loading audio. Sefa Kayi is feeling too big and becoming inconsistence of late. Don't play with listeners emotions!!!!
Maaser u are right. Tech are they not relying on ECG?. science and tech. turns to business.
Pratt, Have you seen any university manufacturing stuff before? is KNUST a factory or research institution?..***barred word*** Pratt who thinks he knows all
Because you supported CORRUPT gov like NDC there were no investments in education and research to Tech to do solar. A talkative like you without ANY proper suggestion for alternatives! JUST criticize! MAAAASER, MAASER!
this man and his jokes. is KNUST a solar panel manufacturing company?