The CSIR Forestry Research Institute of Ghana has commissioned a Wildlife Museum and Solar Power System at Fumesua, near Kumasi.
Solar power system is clean and creates no carbon emissions or other heat-trapping greenhouse gases, and also avoids environmental damage associated with mining or drilling for fossil fuels.
Prof. Daniel A. Ofori, Director of CSIR-FORIG explained that the initiative is in line with the lessons gained from the advancement to the middle income status that requires a solid based science, Technology and innovation.
According to him, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), to which CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (CSIR-FORIG) belongs, is one of the institutions set up in February 1959 to address issues on Scientific and Technological advancement.
He stated that the mandate of CSIR is to generate and supply innovative technologies and efficiently and effectively exploit S&T for socio-economic development in critical areas of agriculture, industry, environment, some aspects of public health and social sciences, as well as improve the scientific culture of civil society in Ghana.
He disclosed that, as an institution that places premium on environmental issues, solar energy was selected because it is renewable energy source, meaning that, it cannot ever get used up. He said the huge electricity bill (GH¢480,000) received a few years ago from the Electricity Company of Ghana motivated them to explore for an alternative power supply.
Prof Ofori disclosed that the Wildlife Museum declined because of the decline in biodiversity, which is a well-known global issue that affects management of biodiversity.
Prof. Robert Kingsford Adaboh, CSIR Council Chairman, stated at the commissioning that museums worldwide are repositories for the collective, exhibition and study of objects of artistic, historic, scientific and educational interest.
According to him, as a scientific research institution, he believes that the wildlife Museum has come at the right time, especially in these times, where biodiversity is being wantonly depleted.
He noted that solar energy is also a clean and renewable energy source that produces electricity without emitting greenhouse gases or other pollutants.
The CSIR Council Chairman disclosed that, as concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability grow, governments are interestingly turning to solar power as a way to reduce their carbon footprint and mitigate the impact of traditional energy sources on the environment.
