A Senior Ghanaian scientist working at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Dr. William Brace, has recommended the Fluidised Bed Incineration Technology as best catalyst to addressing Ghanaís perennial waste problem. He explained that the technology ensures the incineration of wide range of waste, including solid waste, to achieve high efficiency energy recovery, and end products for developmental projects. Dr. Brace made the suggestion in an interview with the Ghanaian Times, here on Friday, on the sidelines of a ceremony to climax the 2018 Vaasa Energy Week.

The event, which was opened on Tuesday, March 20, brought together about 4000 participants from 30 countries with a total of 150 exhibitors displaying top-notch technologies, aimed at promoting sustainable development. The participants shared information on more sustainable technologies, to save the world from harmful practices in the field of energy. Dr. Brace said the current use of landfills and recycling mechanisms to dispose of waste in Ghana, could not be entirely helpful, especially when the world was moving towards greener and renewable energy technologies. “The landfills and recycling methods are good, but that will only solve a small portion of the waste problem in Ghana, and so are the biogas and biomass technologies. The best we need to have is the fluidised technology if we want to turn waste into energy.

The plastics which are giving us lots of problems can all be burnt and it is the best way to get maximum wealth from our waste and derive some energy as well.” Explaining how the technology could be effectively implemented in the country, Dr. Brace proposed a modular system, where smaller incineration plants could be established in selected districts or municipalities, instead of “building a huge plant at one place to serve the entire country because waste will keep increasing as the population rise.” “A smallest plant can add about 7.9mwh of power to the national grid and serve the municipality where it has been cited. A medium and bigger plant can produce about 14mwh and 54mwh respectively”, the researcher said. Dr. Brace urged government to put the right systems in place, to serve as incentive adding that “it is not just about installing the machinery, but gradually changing the culture of the people.”

He urged government to “listen and have trust” in Ghanaian technocrats, to help solve the country’s challenges, instead of overly depending on foreign nationals for advice. “We are not involving the Ghanaian scientists and engineers on issues concerning the country. Authorities prefer to listen to other nationals, who may not have the interest of the country at heart. If Ghanaians are given a chance, I am sure we have the expertise to turn round the fortunes of the country”, Dr Bruce stated.

The Development Manager, International Affairs of the City of Vaasa, Maria Backman, reiterated the region’s determination to become a carbon neutral free city by year 2035. In that vein, she disclosed that “the City of Vassa will only buy renewable energy effective April 1 this year”, as part of efforts to achieve goal seven of the sustainable Development Goals to ensure universal access of affordable and clean energy by 2030.

BY: ABIGAIL ANNOH, VAASA, FINLAND