Features
Need to develop good mix of energy
• The Akosombo Dam has served a good purpose since the first republic
The world has become so competitive that countries all over are doing all they can in terms of energy development to stimulate industrial development and formation of various forms of business so as to be able to survive within this competitive environment.
To be able to survive in the competitive environment, countries must be able to develop their sources of energy to be able to promote various commercial and economic activities to satisfy local demands as well as demand from external sources. If a country does not have reliable energy, it will be difficult for such a country to be able to seriously undertake production to satisfy its needs.
There are various sources of energy in the world which include nuclear, hydro, thermal and wind.
Any of these sources of energy can be utilised effectively for industrial and economic growth. If these sources are brought together in a form of energy mix, the better it will be for the country concerned. Many countries have built such forms of energy in order to promote their economic growth. In Ghana, generation of electricity from hydro is well known. The Akosombo Dam has served a good purpose since the first republic, helping the country to undertake the promotion of businesses. One disadvantage regarding hydro power is that, it cannot be reliable at all times especially when the rainfall pattern proves to be unfavourable even though it is a cheap source of energy.
In 1983 for example, the rainfall was highly unfavourable in Ghana and bushfires were very common. As a result, the country had to resort to rationing of power. A few places could enjoy electricity for some days while others remained in darkness until the situation was rotated to make other places have a fair share of their power supply.
Realising the danger associated with the hydropower, President Kufuor negotiated for a Chinese loan close to 650million US Dollars to put up another dam at Bui in Bono and Ahafo regions. Before the building of the Bui dam, the late Gen. Acheampong also did his best to build another Dam at Kpone. All these were done to ensure that there was enough supply of energy for the country.
It became clear, however, that the country could not depend on hydropower alone and for this reason, a thermal plant was also developed at Aboadze in the Western Region. This added more energy to what was already available in the country.
The disadvantage with thermal power is that when oil prices begin to go up as they are doing now, the cost of generating energy also rises, making life unbearable. Thermal power can be enjoyed very well only when oil prices are very low.
It is interesting to note that Ghana does not only depend on hydro and thermal power but solar energy also. Solar energy is reliable because it is sustainable since the sun is always available to generate it. However, the initial cost of installing solar panels for the generation of solar power is always very high at the initial stages but once the panels are installed, the cost begins to reduce over time. The solar panels serve as one-time cost of production unlike other sources of power the cost of which may have to be encountered from time to time.
For countries in the tropics such as Ghana, the abundant sunshine available at all times should not be made to go to waste. This explains why when President Akufo-Addo promoted solar energy project in the northern part of the country; it was seen as a very welcoming move. The solar project up north even though had an initial high cost will prove to be cheap with time since no major cost will be incurred again.
All that we need to do is to safeguard the existence of the solar panels and protect them from human activities such as throwing of stones on the panels to destroy them. If these solar panels are protected well, they will prove to be a reliable source of energy.
In August 2022, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, commissioned the Volta River Authority’s 13 megawatt (13MW) Solar Power Project. He cut the sod for the project in February 2020.
According to President Akufo-Addo, the project, which is the first phase of what will eventually be a 28 megawatt (28MW) plant at Kaleo in the Upper West Region was meant to add to the energy supply in the country.
As a result of the project, thousands of people around that vicinity will be connected to the national grid, a move that will promote socioeconomic development in the area. It shows that Ghana is moving from strength to strength as far as business promotion in all parts of the country is concerned.
The President reiterated government’s commitment to further diversify the country’s energy generation portfolio, and increase the nation’s renewable energy generation mix. This move by the President is highly commendable.
The sources of energy in Ghana – hydro, thermal and solar – go to show that the government is very much aware of the critical role reliable energy plays in transforming industrialisation and ensuring economic growth. It takes visionary leadership to realise this insight especially at a time when economic conditions have been made very difficult by the COVID-19 experience as well as the unfavourable effects of the Russian-Ukraine war.
The government has made it clear that nuclear energy should also be explored to the full since that source of energy can help the country in its economic developmental agenda. Nuclear energy is good but has not been explored to the full so if the time has come for that energy to be explored for the benefit of the country, then the better it is for the nation.
We need to continue to support this government since its vision is in line with the growth, advancement and prosperity of the country. If the country can continue in this way in the next 20 or 30 decades, the people of Ghana will be the beneficiaries of this positive agenda.
BY DR. KOFI AMPONSAH-BEDIAKO
Email address/whatsApp number of author:
Pradmat201@gmail.com (0553318911)
Features
Preventing the brain’s melting point with BOS
The human brain is a complex and delicate organ, susceptible to damage from various factors, including extreme temperatures.
The brain’s melting point, also known as the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, is a critical concern for individuals seeking to maintain optimal cognitive function.
Fortunately, the Brain Operating System (BOS) offers a revolutionary solution to prevent the brain’s melting point.
Understanding the brain’s melting point
The brain’s melting point refers to the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, leading to irreversible damage.
This temperature threshold varies depending on individual factors, such as age, health, and environmental conditions. However, research suggests that the brain’s melting point is approximately 104°F (40°C) to 107°F (42°C).
The role of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
BOS, a cutting-edge technology, plays a crucial role in preventing the brain’s melting point. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, ensuring that it remains within a safe range.
How BOS prevents the brain’s melting point
BOS prevents the brain’s melting point through several mechanisms:
1. Temperature regulation: BOS continuously monitors brain temperature, adjusting neural activity to maintain a stable temperature.
2. Heat dissipation: BOS enhances heat dissipation through increased blood flow and sweating.
3. Neuro protection: BOS protects neurons from heat-induced damage.
Benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
The benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point are numerous:
1. Prevents brain damage: BOS prevents brain damage caused by excessive heat.
2. Maintains cognitive function: BOS ensures optimal cognitive function by maintaining stable brain temperature.
3. Enhances brain resilience: BOS enhances brain resilience to temperature fluctuations.
Real-World applications of BOS
BOS has various real-world applications:
1. High-performance computing: BOS enables high-performance computing by maintaining optimal brain temperature.
2. Medical applications: BOS has medical applications, such as treating heat-related illnesses.
3. Space exploration: BOS is crucial for space exploration, where extreme temperatures pose a significant risk.
Conclusion
BOS is a revolutionary technology that prevents the brain’s melting point, ensuring optimal cognitive function and overall well-being. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, protecting against heat-related damage.
Glossary:
1. BOS: Brain Operating System.
2. Brain’s melting point: Temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade.
3. Neural interface: Connects human brain with digital devices.
Contact Information
virginvtech@yahoo.com
Additional resources:
1. BOS research: Explore scientific studies.
2. Neural interface resources: Discover books and articles.
3. Brain-computer interface communities: Join online forums.
Future directions
As BOS technology continues to evolve, we can expect:
1. Improved temperature regulation: Enhanced temperature regulation mechanisms.
2. Increased cognitive enhancement: Advanced cognitive enhancement capabilities.
3. Expanded applications: New applications in various fields.
By harnessing the power of BOS, individuals can safeguard their brain health and maintain optimal cognitive function, even in extreme environments.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
Features
Lotto wahala and Tuobodom palaver
In Sikaman lotto is not a game. It is a profession, a noble career which people aspire to. It is the highest paying profession after armed robbery and the most widespread job on this side of the Atlantic.
In places like China, lotto is a disease that has no cure. Once you are infected, no doctor on earth can cure you. May be Kofi Larteh, Ghana’s most celebrated magician, can help ease the symptoms, but no definitive cure will be forthcoming.
Coming back to Sikaman, lotto has been the financial messiah of many. That is how people look after their large families, pay school fees, marry two wives and do their own ‘monkey things.’
If you are very poor and you win a lottery, chances are that you will die before you even collect the money. You’ll die out of excitement or you’ll start day-dreaming in the streets and an articulated truck will hit you.
As such, very heavy wins are not recommended for poor people, lest they get listed too soon in the obituary columns.
The sad story is told of a heavy-duty caterpillar driver who had a very heavy lotto windfall of several millions, his first big win after several years.
CATERPILLAR
He was driving the caterpillar home when he saw his son running towards him, shouting. “All your numbers have dropped! All your numbers have dropped! He could not believe his ears.
All the four numbers he had staked had dropped and his son, who had gone to stake them for him, was himself over-excited. The poor caterpillar man just could not handle the good news. He suddenly stepped on the brakes and the caterpillar jolted him a trifle too violently, throwing him off. He landed right in front of the still moving heavy-duty machine and it crushed him flat.
I don’t think the bloke would have died if he had won a smaller amount. Sometimes too much cash is not good for the health.
Seldom, people get too confident and that can also result in a wake-keeping, like that of a man who used his lifetime savings and borrowed extra money to crack the machine with a two-sure that the compiler must compulsory drop or the world will end.
Even the shadows of the numbers or their counterparts were nowhere near the winning numbers. His shock-absorbers crumbled under the weight of the heavy disappointment. He crashed to the floor and started foaming at the mouth. He was declared dead on arrival at the nearest clinic.
WINDFALL
Recently, there was a countrywide lotto windfall, and in Kumasi it was more than a festival. Most stakers had between ¢30m and ¢40 million on two-sure that the lotto magicians had predicted at least three weeks earlier,
Kejetia chop bars were besieged with overnight millionaires, carrying huge appetites induced by Opeimu Bitters popularly called Opeimu Peters. All the meat and mudfish got sold out within an hour and procurement agents had to double up to restock.
While some were celebrating, others were weeping and gnashing teeth. The problem was that, three weeks beforehand, the two sure numbers were declared by all the lotto sorcerers, dreamers, magicians, tellers and all the self-appointed and self-promoted forecasters.
Everybody including 10-year-olds, who staked and lost. The following week, they were advised to continue staking. The faithful did continue but the faithless stopped. All of them lost. In the third week or so, a good number of confident stakers had lost faith in the two numbers. That was when the number landed.
So the windfall was for only those who had the unshakeable faith in the numbers. See what faith can do? It can move dollars. Don’t waver, so saith the holy scriptures.
The faithless indeed gnashed teeth. The winners on the other hand celebrated with a song that is as controversial as the business of lotto. It is a song played by the group called Nkasei and has something to do with a town in the Brong Ahafo Region called Tuobodom whose capital we hear is Jinijini.
I hear it is a derogatory song and the queen mother of Tuobodom got charged and breathed out electric current during her protest on air. She allegedly ended up demanding a mobile phone from Nkasei so that she could communicate with them to settle the matter peacefully, lest wahala.
Well, the song is rising up the charts and Nkasei are making the dough, but should it be at the expense of a whole townsfolk, their forebears and generations to come?
WATERPROOF
Waterproof, the famous comedian, was allegedly given hefty slaps at the Kumasi rail station by some Frafra jingoists who felt he was deriding their tribe. And Bob Okala had to run with his tail between his legs when he was confronted and realised that slaps were going to be visited on his lean face.
Let’s not use words and lyrics to cause discomfort to others.
This article was first published on Saturday July 9, 2005
