Barefoot Power Africa Limited, a business organization that assists people in developing countries to access affordable renewable energy, has awarded five basic school students, for taking part in the National Essay Completion on Solar Energy.
The competition which was held in the country, was aimed at knowing how students learned in the current situation of frequent light outs and how it was affecting their studies.
Mr Kwasi Owusu Gyeabour, Country Director of Barefoot Power, said the topics for the essay competition were: “How do you learn at night when the lights go off? and What impact will solar light have on your family and the way you learn?”
Mr Gyeabour noted that this was to know the plight of these students during light off and to make people aware on how important solar energy could be used in the absence of electricity.
He said in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service they had about 1500 applicants in the competition, but only the five emerged winners.
He said the first winner was John Ansah Haywood, Global Village Christian Academy International, Ashanti Region, followed by Tracy Obenewah Asante, Ministry of Health Basic School, Greater Accra, while t Aba Ntsifua Donkoh, Swedru Christ the King Preparatory, Central Region, took the third position, with Latifa Alidu- Yakubu Pumaaya, St Andrews Junior High School, Greater Accra Region and Abena Asamoah Okyere, Ministry of Health basic School, placing fourth and fifth respectively.
Mr Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, Director of Renewable Energy, at the Ministry of Energy, congratulated the children for emerging winners, and urged them to study hard to become great leaders in the country.
He said the efforts of Barefoot Power were well appreciated, since constant power supply was a major challenge in the country, adding that the provision of solar systems in the country would go a long way to help solve the energy problems.
Mr Ahiataku-Togobo stated that these solar lanterns would improve the level of education of these children.
He explained that solar has an important role in the development of this country and Barefoot Power is playing its role to ensure this is achieved.
He noted that though solar is reliable and cheaper due to the use of sunlight, it is however important for people who use these solar devices to charge it fully at all times using the sun rays for the device to last longer and efficient.
He said by so doing batteries are always intact and not damaged, adding that solar panels that are used in charging the devised should be kept under the direct sun for it to function properly.
Mrs Doris Nyarko, Director for Basic Education at the Ministry of Education, expressed gratitude to the organization for the initiative and advised school children to study hard.
She said this initiative should go far, since it is important for people to get to know of the use of solar in generating power in the country.
This would facilitate learning in the country, since the light situation has led to falling standards of the educational system, she added.
She, therefore, advised students and parents to be advocates of the English Language, and avoid the use of pigeon English
