Connect with us

Profile

Dr Francis Boateng Agyenim, leading solar energy, research conversation in Ghana

• Dr Francis Boateng Agyenim

Dr Francis Boateng Agyenim

 DR Francis Boateng Agyenim, Di­rector of the Council for Scientif­ic and Industrial Research-Insti­tute of Industrial Research (CSIR-IIR), has over the past years led the ad­vocacy for the utilisation of research and solar energy to transform Ghana’s economy.

Responsible for the day-to-day administration of Ghana’s foremost industrial research and development institute whose mandate is to drive national development and global competiveness in industry through sci­entific and technological research, Dr Agyenim has led several conversations and supported innovations aimed at making Ghana a research hub in Africa and the world at large.

He is also vocal on solar energy, believing it represents Ghana’s future and Ghanaian industries, and the gov­ernment must take advantage of same to foster growth.

Advertisement

Born in Asikasu, a village seven miles away from Dormaa Ahenkro in the Bono Region, young Agyenim started his basic school at Asikasu No.1 where he combined education with farming in order to make ends meet.

Steadily, Agyenim gained his Middle School Living Certificate in 1984 at age of 15 before joining the Dormaa Senior High School from 1984-1989 for his O-level certificate.

He then moved to Osei Kyerekwie Senior High School (OKESS) in Kumasi (1989-1991) and later to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 1998 where he studied Metallurgical Engineering to begin his research journey.

Before completing university, Dr Agyenim secured a job at AshantiGold before moving to Sankofa Gold in Prestea for two years. He travelled to Germany to do his Masters in Energy Conversion and Management in 2000 where he also secured a job in the solar industry for a year to launch his interest in solar energy.

Advertisement

He later moved to the UK where he worked and had a PhD in Solar Energy Engineering. Dr Agyenim also taught in three other universities in the UK-Car­diff, Ulster and Nottingham Universi­ties.

Dr Agyenim moved back to Ghana in 2012 to head the Ghana Technology University College (GTUC) in 2012 as the Dean of Graduate School for four years.

While at GTUC, Dr Agyenim created a system of dual accreditation where Coventry University and other univer­sities were partnering GTUC to teach foreign programmes in Ghana with students issued dual certificates. His key responsibilities included teaching and conducting cutting-edge research in renewable energy systems and sus­tainable energy technologies as well as some administrative functions as Course Director.

He also worked as Lead Consultant in several research and development projects and moved to CSIR-IIR in Oc­tober 2016 as Director till date.

Advertisement

Dr Agyenim has consulted for several organisations on sustainable energy related projects and supervised instal­lation of several solar PV systems in Ghana and Germany. He has over the last five years led the training of 2,900 professional electrical engineers/elec­tricians on how to install and maintain solar systems.

He currently serves on several University and Management Boards including University for Development Studies (UDS) Council, Ghana Nuts Management Board, National Biosafety Authority Management Board, Nursing and Midwifery Council Management Board and CSIR Boards.

Dr Agyenim has developed and implemented several innovations, including the Zero Waste Disposal concept (ZeWaD), the CSIR Industrial Innovation Hub (i2-Hub) and novel solar powered absorption cooling sys­tem. He has to his credit several peer reviewed articles in the subject area of renewable and alternative energies, including guidelines document for the integration of solar powered absorp­tion cooling systems into buildings and integrated wastewater and faecal sludge management for Ghana.

“Solar is the future and Ghanaians must begin to invest in solar. Interest­ingly, the solar availability in Ghana cannot be compared to countries where solar is popular like Germany,” he stated.

Advertisement

Thankfully, he said, with the sup­port of Ghana Skills Development Fund, since 2015, nearly 3,000 certi­fied electricians are currently dotted across the country, equipped to install solar professionally as the challenge had always been with the technicali­ties involved in the installation.

“The quality of panels have im­proved and could last for over 20 years as compared to the past. Solar at the moment is very robust and indigenous Ghanaian companies must take advantage as done by their foreign counterparts. Currently at the commercial scale, one can break even in five years,” he stressed.

“If the government can dedicate funds into putting solar on all public buildings, in the country to store pow­er, it make the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) profitable. ECG should also begin to buy roofs of companies to store solar and sell it back to them. An average company owner is only interested in seeing their electricity reduced,” he suggested.

With his core mandate at the CSIR-IIR, they conduct research and de­velop products materials and manu­facturing, engineering designing and prototyping, calibration and testing, sanitation and environmental man­agement and emerging engineering technology using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop products as well as melt metals and building of all parts of machines, among others.

Advertisement

“The difficulty is that the govern­ment has not invested into research and for Ghana to benefit from re­search immensely, there is the need to define an annual area of research and allow organisations to compete and solve societal problems,” he advocat­ed.

That notwithstanding, he led the CSIR-IIR to chalk successes in the areas of Agriculture as their research improved yields of maize, rice, beans and yam in Ghana.

“It is important to find businesses to pick up CSIR-IIR outputs and form partnerships to manufacture the products. I am very keen on how we advance market-ready products sitting on the shelves into business to benefit society,” he mentioned.

He also works as the Chairperson of the National Innovation Challenge and believes that Ghana must be inten­tional about its development with re­search and academia, government and business working together to develop the country.

Advertisement

Following his outstanding works, the CSIR-IIR has won several awards including the Ghana Energy Awards for Energy Organisation of the Year-Public and Novel Deployment of Renewable Energy Technology Award in 2018 and 2022 respectively.

Dr Agyenim is married and blessed with five daughters, and loves farming on weekends.

 By Michael D. Abayateye

Advertisement

Profile

Prisca Abah: Ghana’s modelling powerhouse

 Ghanaian model, philanthropist and ad­vocate, Prisca Abah, who is known for her contributions to the fashion indus­try, is strutting her stuff on higher levels.

She was recently selected as one of the models for the Big8 Girls Project, an initia­tive by Clinton Samuel to celebrate influen­tial African models.

The project consisted of three episodes: the Bio Shoot which highlighted Abah’s professionalism through a corporate-themed photoshoot; Afrodeity which focused on showcasing her confidence and artistry, celebrating the African divine feminine and royalty which presented Abah as a symbol of African cultural pride, embodying strength and elegance.

The Big8 concept, produced by Clinton Samuel, intentionally highlights and cele­brates the strongest and most influential models on the African continent, congratu­lating their steadfastness and contributions to the African fashion industry, even as they grind and win in other aspects of life.

The Big8 sets hierarchy and high standards in the African fashion and modelling industry, crowning eight of them with the ‘Top Model’ status as the leading female models in Ghana at the moment.

Advertisement

“Working with these fiery women will sure­ly ignite more creative minds and stir the pot of positive competition,” said Clinton.

Abah’s early life and career

Prisca Abah began her modelling career in 2013, achieving her first notable milestone in 2014 with an editorial shoot for 5-Star International Modelling Agency. In 2015, she made her runway debut at the Ghana Fashion Awards.

From 2016 to 2018, Abah participated in major African fashion events such as Glitz Africa Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Johannesburg, and Rhythms on the Runway.

During this period, she received acco­lades, including the “Best Female Model of the Year” and spoke as a UN Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal 12 at the Sustainable Rice Platform Conference.

Advertisement

International recognition and pageantry

In 2022, Abah expanded her reach by entering the pageantry world. She placed as the first runner- up at the Beauty of Africa International Pageant and represented Ghana at the Miss Globe World Finals, where she earned the title of Miss Globe Africa 2022.

Philanthropy

Abah founded the Palins Founda­tion, a non-profit organisation, aimed at empowering women and youth through initiatives in education, skills training, and personal development.

Awards and collaborations

Advertisement

In 2023, Abah received the Best Model of the Year award at the Time Ghana Arts and Entertain­ment Awards. She has collaborat­ed with leading designers such as Charlotte Prive and Ejiro Amos Tafiri, further solidifying her influence in African fashion.

Legacy

Prisca Abah is recognised not only for her contribu­tions to the fashion industry but also for her philanthropic efforts. Her journey serves as an inspiration to young Africans, encouraging them to pursue their dreams while giving back to society.  

By Edem Mensah Tsortorme

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Profile

Juventus Duorinaah, Ghana’s first deaf Lawyer

• Juventus Duorinaah Esq.
• Juventus Duorinaah Esq.

 In a landmark moment for Ghana’s legal landscape, Juventus Duorinaah Esq., has etched his name in histo­ry as the country’s first lawyer with a hearing impairment.

His journey from a humble back­ground to breaking barriers in the legal profession serves as a powerful inspiration for countless individuals in the disability community, proving that determination and resilience can defy societal expectations and create path­ways to success.

For Juventus, the recognition as Gha­na’s first deaf lawyer feels surreal.

“It feels like a dream,” he reflects, acknowledging the stereotypes sur­rounding deafness and the humble background from which he hails.

Advertisement

Juventus’ passion for law sparked in 2008 while seeking admission to the University of Ghana (UG). Although he initially faced challenges due to the nature of the application process, the help of his older brother and his deter­mined spirit led him to pursue a Bache­lor of Arts degree in 2012, followed by a Master of Laws at Cardiff University in 2014.

His passion for the study of law became highly intense when he had to study alongside qualified lawyers from several jurisdictions, even though he did not have a legal background. Here, he faced the unique challenge of study­ing without sign language interpreters, relying instead on a palantypist to tran­scribe lectures.

Juventus’ role model was his profes­sor and mentor, Professor Luke Clem­ent, who profoundly inspired him in shaping his understanding of law and human rights.

He remembers Prof. Thomas Stephens from the University of Ghana School Of Law, who inspired him with his way of dressing, in-depth knowledge of the law and engagement with students.

Advertisement

He recounts the enormous challenges he encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when lectures moved online, and Dr Stephen’s tremendous support to ensure things moved quickly and smoothly for him.

“I also had the chance to have a few classes with the Dean himself, Prof. Raymond Atuguba. He taught the course such that some of us never felt scared as other lecturers made the course,’ he recalled.

Juventu’s academic journey was fraught with challenges, particularly in communication.

The year 2007 was the last time he studied with deaf peers. He was of­ten the only deaf person in his classes throughout the following years of his education, which made interaction with peers difficult.

Advertisement

Despite these hurdles, he remained high-spirited, studying late into the night and seeking help from kind class­mates when necessary.

Reflecting on his academic experience at UG, he connected his affection for the university to his older brother, who is also an alumnus. He felt inspired to be a student of the premier university, saying he would choose the University of Ghana any time, any day, if given the chance to further his studies or work.

The University Of Ghana School Of Law, along with its Dean, Professor Raymond Atuguba, the Director of Legal Education of the Ghana School of Law, Yaw Bramiah Oppong, and his capable team, including the Registrar and Depu­ty Registrar of the Ghana School of Law and the Office for Students with Special Needs (UG), made significant contribu­tions to his journey.

Prof. Atuguba acknowledged Juven­tus’ achievement as evidence of the university’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Advertisement

Commenting on how the school accommodated his special needs, Prof. Atugugba explained that ‘In the case of Juventus, we worked closely with him to understand and address his special needs, ensuring he had access to the teaching and learning resources in the appropriate formats that would support his academic journey.

Professor Atuguba noted that Juven­tus’s journey is just beginning, and the future holds promise for him and the many lives he aims to touch along the way.

Juventus’s close friend, Ida Esi McOw­usu Esq., described her first encounter with Juventus as ‘intriguing.’ “My first meeting with Juventus was in class, where he sat right in front of me in first year,” Ida reveals. She was intrigued and wanted to find out more about him, especially how Juventus navigated his way to this level. “I got closer and we became friends from there,” she remarked.

Mr Francis Kweku Essel, Juventus’ interpreter, shed light on the primary challenges he faced in carrying out his job, particularly the complex nature of legal terminology and concepts. This validates Ida’s comment on the inter­preters’ lack of legal background as a challenge Lawyer Duorinaah encoun­tred.

Advertisement

Juventus dreams of becoming a judge and aims to enhance justice delivery while serving as a role model for young people with disabilities.

He is currently mentoring a group of young deaf students interested in pursuing law, hoping to pave the way for future generations. What’s next for Lawyer Juventus? His next step is to complete his pupilage, after which he can decide further his legal career.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending