Solar lanterns developed by the Catholic University

Abesim, May 30, GNA- Professor Ephraim James, Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG), on Friday, advised Ghanaians to look for alternative sources of energy and not depend only on the Volta River Authority for the supply of electricity. The professor gave the advice at the launch of 100 Solux solar lantern project initiated by the University to serve as a source of energy for students during power outages at Abesim near Sunyani. He observed that the lack of energy affects every country by slowing down its development, and that, it has become the number one problem globally considering the consistent increase in oil prices, which has affected the prices food.

The nation last year faced a serious energy problem caused by the unprecedented drop in the water level of the Akossombo Dam, saying that, the nation would have to put in place measures to forestall its occurrence.

He said CUCG's conceived a plan to explore and exploit available opportunities fore alternative source of energy and other resources such as the installation of solar panels to generate electricity and harvesting of rain water.

The idea of the solar lantern constitutes the first step in the initiative to offer the University an appropriate solution to the problems of electricity.

Professor Ebo Mensah, Dean of Economics and Business Administration faculty, who co-ordinated the project, said the lantern is "simple, easily assembled, practical, robust and durable even under difficult tropical conditions and has an average life of ten years". He said the lantern would lead to remarkable improvement in students' performance during power outage and would also fit well in the university's outreach programme.

He said the University spent about GH¢12,000 on the project conceived by Mr Alfred Brendler, an expert with Stiftung Deutschen Wirtschaft Fur International Zusammenarbeit of Bonn, Germany. He said four staff members of the university have been trained to sustain the project, adding that, the first of the lanterns would be sold to only student at a cost of Gh¢120 each as a trial and the proceeds used in replenishing the stock. 30 May 08