The KNUST Students Representative Council (SRC) in partnership with McMendel Energy has launched the first edition of the "KNUST Green Energy Challenge " on 13th May, 2022 at the Great Hall, KNUST as part of the KNUST at 70, Science and Technology Exhibitions.
Master Samuel Nii Armah, the Chairperson for the KNUST SRC’s Trade, Technology and Innovation Development Commission, in his welcome address, mentioned the fact that KNUST is the first University in Ghana to take up such a project aimed at achieving the sustainable development goal 7 (SDG7).
Professor Francis Kemausuor, the Chairman for the event, in his address, revealed that the KNUST Green Energy Challenge , a competitive contest on renewable energy innovations and projects with KNUST as the focus will be one that does not only garner ideas but also will look to implement these ideas in a sustainable manner’’. ‘The Challenge will promote the awareness of climate change, energy conservation and efficient renewable energy utilization’ he said.
The event saw personalities such as Mr. Kwadwo Poku, Mr. Joseph Elikem Ametsitsi and Mr. Makafui Mendelson Ametsitsi also speak to the theme of the challenge.
Mr. Kwadwo Poku, brings excellent credentials with a strong 24 years of practical business experience. He is currently the CEO and Founder of FKP & RALD INVESTMENT LTD. He also serves as Board Director of Multinational companies such as Pan African Capital Ghana Limited, FIFC Management and Development Limited. A great energy expert with years of experience in the energy industry and a prominent force in the push for renewable energy implementation in our society.
Makafui Mendelsen Ametsitsi is the Founder and CEO of McMendel Group consisting of McMendel Engineering Limited, a construction company, McMendel Logistics, McMendel Farms among others. As a member of the Project management Professionals (PMP), he has managed projects across Ghana including Ghana shippers house(12 storey) and the new KNUST Social Science complex (5 storey. The projects had a waste disposal system such as biogas or biodigester and solar energy systems etc. With over 10 years of experience in the construction industry, his quest for energy management and cleaner energy sources has become his driving force to subsequently create a perfect merge between the built environment and renewable energy.
Joseph Elikem Ametsitsi is the CEO of McMendal Energy, a green energy provision company. He is a petroleum geologist working with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation. Mr. Ametsitsi is a strong advocate for energy transition, renewable energy provision, global warming and climate change. McMendal aspires to change the face of energy in Africa using renewable energy. Mr. Ametsitsi is an alumnus of KNUST.
Mr. Joseph Elikem Ametsitsi lauded the efforts of KNUST to once again show why it is the premier science and technology institution in the west African sub-region by taking the lead in the quest to go green. He expressed his hope that other institutions respond to the call to protect the planet and follow KNUST’s steps and strive to go green with little or no carbon emissions foot print.