RENEWAL ENERGY PROJECT LAUNCHED AT WALEWALE (PAGE 19, OCT 9, 2010)

A Jetropha project aimed at increasing access to improved modern and renewable energy services in rural communities has been inaugurated at Walewale in the West Mamprusi District of the Northern Region.
The €2 million project will ensure the establishment of 500 hectares of the plant in seven beneficiary communities over a five-year period. They are Bimbini, Wungu, Kparigu, Nasia, Loagri Number Two, Janga and Yama.
It is being financed by the European Union (EU), with support from the Technology Consultancy Centre of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Tamale and the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
New Energy, a Tamale-based non-governmental organisation, and the Desertification Research Group of the University of Sassari in Italy are also partners in the project.
The project co-ordinator, Professor Giuseppe Enne, indicated that the Jetropha Curcas plant had a strong adaptation capacity and a long productive lifespan of up to 30 years.
He further explained that the project was expected to help develop and construct an appropriate and cost-effective expeller for Jetropha oil extraction and the establishment of a localised small-scale facility in selected rural communities.
Prof. Enne said the project would increase the financial and educational status of women and other marginal groups leading to higher social status.
The Deputy Regional Minister, Mr San Nasamu Asabigi, noted that about 69 per cent of the total energy consumed in the country was from the already depleting forest resources.
According to him, the effects of climate change and rising cost of fossil fuel have compelled the government to look for clean, alternative and sustainable fuel to meet the energy demands of the country.
The West Mamprusi District Chief Executive, Mr Sulley Zakaria, observed that the project would help ensure sustainable livelihood conditions in rural communities through the use of the Jetropha plant.
Mr Zakaria entreated the beneficiary communities to own the project and put in their maximum efforts by giving the project equal attention as they would do to their maize or rice farms.