As technology and innovations continue to soar in other parts of the world, Africa has comparatively been unable to penetrate into the mainstream technological and innovation world.
In a bid to achieve the long awaited dream of the over fifty countries around the continent, one of Ghana’s premier polytechnics Kumasi Polytechnic has paved the way as it has assembled the first of its kind electric car.
Though countries including South Africa, Nigeria and Uganda among others have already stepped into the production of electric vehicles, the innovation of Kumasi Polytechnic has led scores of industry players talking.
Rector of the institution, Professor Nicholas Nsowah Nuamah in an exclusive interview with Kapital News said as Africa is widely known to be the heartbeat of the world, it was incumbent on technical as well as technological institutions across the continent to actualize their creative abilities, thereby participating broadly in the manufacturing of first class goods and products.
“Africa has come of age, and in making the dream of Africa come to past, Ghana has a pivotal role to play as we are known to be the gateway of the entire African continent. We have since 2007 being researching into this product, how to make a first of its kind vehicle that would be powered without fuel. God being so good, and after tireless research and great creative human resource we were able to come out with such an ultramodern vehicle which does not rely on fuel”. He explained.
Professor Nsowah Nuamah also explained how different the innovation of Kumasi Polytechnic’s latest electric car is to other several electric cars which are already in the system. “The electric cars we know, you would need to always charge it with electricity before you can reuse, and as it stands we are all aware of the electricity deficits. This and many other factors prompted us to come out with an innovation which could aid salvage the situation. So with what we have been able to do, firstly you won’t charge it or buy fuel. It is just powered with batteries, and you would probably have to change it in about three years after usage. I went to China to inquire about such products with some of their astute engineers, and they even doubted what we wanted to do. According the Chinese auto engineer, China had tried on several occasions to do that, but to no avail, and lo and below we have done it to the optimum”.
The electric vehicle which was outdoored during the 11th congregation of the institution also saw the commissioning of an ultramodern plant that produces diesel from plastic wastes.
Several dignitaries including the Ashanti regional minister, John Alexander Ackon and the Mayor of the Kumasi city, Kojo Bonsu, among other personalities also commended the engineering students and the entire management and staff of the polytechnic for their creativity and innovation.
The professor further called for external support to aid the institution come out with more of such innovations.
He added that, the engineering section of the Kumasi Polytechnic is bent on ensuring that Ghana continues to pave the way when it comes to innovations and technology on the African continent.
Source: kapital971.com