The Regional Transport Research and Education Centre, Kumasi (TRECK) at the College of Engineering, KNUST, is committed to tackling pressing developmental challenges within the transportation sector of Ghana and across the sub-region.
From the 25th to the 27th of March 2024, TRECK hosted its much-anticipated Innovation Week celebration at the Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre (RWESCK) Auditorium under the theme, ‘Promoting Transport Equity Resilience and Sustainability’. This event served as a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange, showcasing cutting-edge research and solutions within the transportation sector. Activities included technology demonstrations, panel discussions, technical workshops, field visits and an innovation challenge.
Prof. Francis Kemausuor, the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering, delivered the welcome address on behalf of the Provost of the College, Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko. He emphasised that innovation goes beyond technological advancement into leveraging skills and expertise to address societal challenges such as climate change, sustainable energy, transport, and infrastructure.
He encouraged participants to embrace the spirit of curiosity, exploration, and discovery while taking advantage of the Innovation Week celebration activities.
The Deputy Director for TRECK, Prof. Yaw A. Tuffour, highlighted the centre's mission to tackle the intricate challenges confronting transportation systems in Ghana and the sub-Saharan region.
“Through interdisciplinary research, high-quality training, and technology transfer, TRECK aims to spearhead positive change and foster sustainable transport and integrated logistics development.”
He highlighted the need for collaboration by industry professionals, individuals, organisations and the government to solve complex problems Ghana’s transport system faces.
In his keynote address, Dr. J. B. Koranteng-Yorke, the TRECK Sectorial Advisory Board (SAB) Chairman, underscored the importance of transportation in economic development. He emphasised the role of innovation in enhancing the efficiency, safety, and reliability of transportation networks, calling on engineers and transport professionals to consider policy and planning of transport systems to solve the challenges faced in the sector.
“I am referring to innovations that promote environmentally sustainable modes of transportation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimise environmental impact. This may include promoting the use of electric vehicles, expanding public transit networks, supporting active transportation modes such as walking and cycling, and integrating renewable energy sources into transport systems,” he pointed out.
A panel discussion featuring industry professionals in the persons of Mr. Charles Annan, Managing Director for Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), Mr. Issac Kyei Fosu, Board Chairman for Sofoline, Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and Mr. Eric Nyame Baafi, an engineer at Ghana Railway Development Authority addressed challenges and opportunities in Ghana's transportation sector. They highlighted issues of indiscipline among drivers and passengers, congestion, and encroachment on railway tracks. They indicated measures that each of their institutions is putting in place to solve various problems within the transportation sector, such as the "Tap n’ Go" digital transport service initiative to improve efficiency and fight corruption.
The Innovation Week had a technology demonstration on an electric vehicle led by Ms Abigail Twenewaa from Solar Taxi, a technical workshop on electric and autonomous vehicles and an exhibition of bamboo bicycles from Ghana Bamboo Bicycles Ltd.
Five teams pitched innovative projects on smart road assets management, smart paratransit systems, campus bicycle-sharing platforms, and electric bicycles.
Three out of the five innovative projects were awarded cash prizes of GH₵ 50,000, GH₵ 45,000 and GH₵ 30,000, respectively and would be mentored to build their businesses in the next (incubation) stage of the challenge.
