“I would like to contribute to a better environment”
Why did you decide to study at the BTU and are you satisfied with this choice?
I decided to study at BTU because I was attracted by the ERM programme: It is very broad with wide fields for potential specializations that give chances for students to get exposure to a range of different modules and fields of specialization.
In addition, I chose to have my master’s degree in the field of Solar PV (photovoltaic) for electrification in rural development areas in Ghana because I lived and started my early education in a village called Ekwamasi, in the Central Region. Realizing the gap in development and many livelihood challenges at a later stage in my life, I decided to focus my studies in rural development. After my exposure at BTU I realized one of the possible means of impacting on rural livelihood was through researching renewable energy-RE (Solar PV applications for rural development).
What would you recommend to students now: What should they not miss during their studies?
Due to the present diverse modules in different fields of study, my experience is that students tend to focus on modules perceived to be easy to handle or choose modules from their favorite professors, instead of making choices based on developing their field of expertise. Students should stay very focused with the bigger picture in mind of the field of expertise when choosing modules in the course of ERM studies.
You are a founding member of the company KOA. How did the idea come about, what do you want to achieve and what is your part in it?
The idea of KOA came about as a result of an initial plan to establish solar PV business for supplying systems for the rural communities in Ghana with my other business partners. The group contacted me in 2017 for a business partnership due to the publication of my master’s thesis research on solar for rural development in Ghana.
I was able to convince the group to shift the business focus from supplying solar systems for just domestic lighting, charging services, and as a source of entertainment in the rural areas, to rather focus on productive use, i.e. to look for opportunities to use solar PV instead to process the many natural resources in the rural areas, which will help boost economic or agricultural activities like irrigation or small scale rural processing. So finally, we landed on processing cocoa pulp juice, which has been going to waste over the years by using solar PV to power a community mobile processing plant. This is the first of its kind globally.
What drives you in your work?
The main passion is having been able to make an impact in improving rural livelihood by enhancing rural economic activities with solar PV. To contribute to a better environment by reduction of food waste, i.e. making use of a resource which otherwise goes to waste. I am also proud because this is directly linked to my previous master’s studies and current PhD research and also we were able to create employment, as we currently employ over 40 people, including experts.
What are the next steps?
My next steps are to take disciplinary actions to complete my PhD at BTU, whiles focusing on growing and expanding the cocoa juice business and other innovative rural entrepreneurial activities that will create jobs and enhance rural livelihoods in Ghana and potentially, West Africa.
Where do you see possibilities for BTU to support you further as an Alumnus?
Number one would be if BTU has programmes which provide financial support to its alumni that establish businesses, then I would be glad to know about them. Another possibility is to facilitate or provide information of other financial opportunities that will be of help.
That for I would suggest BTU establish a business alumni network, which can provide support. For instance, to advise new entrepreneurs and also to share experiences with students who have a business and entrepreneurial spirits.
Thank you for the interview!
