Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a material and energy balance tool applied to a product’s system in combination with an assessment of the environmental impacts related to the inputs and outputs to and from the product’s system. The participation of Ghana and Africa at large in LCA research has been determined to be low though it is an invaluable tool required to achieve some of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Several factors have contributed to this narrative and concrete measures must be taken to change it. In response to changing the status of LCA research in Africa, this capacity building workshop on LCA was been put together with support of the CNRS African Residential Research School Programme which is aimed at facilitating knowledge transfer and building strong research cooperation with partner institutions in Africa. The overall aim of this workshop to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to conduct comprehensive environmental assessments using LCA methodology.
The workshop commenced with an opening ceremony and mini-symposium in Energy and Chemical Sustainability in Africa at the Amonoo-Neizer Conference Centre on the 21st of October, 2024. During the opening ceremony, The Provost represented by Prof. Emmanuel Frimpong welcomed all attendees and encouraged active involvement of all participants thereby launching the programme. Intuitive presentations were given by Dr Mwema Felix Mwema (NM-AIST), Dr. Tekko Napporn a CNRS and IC2MP team member, Prof. David Ato Quansah of the Brew Hammond Energy Centre and Dr. Enock Chambile during the opening ceremony. Also, we received presentations from our Master’s and MPhil students on topics related to energy and chemical sustainability.
Thereafter, the subsequent sessions were held at the New Engineering building from 21st October to 1st November, 2024. About 65 participants from KNUST, NPA, Ministry of Energy, private companies and students from China, India and South Africa have been trained on how to conduct Life Cycle Assessment using the SimaPro Software. Dr. Mwema Felix Mwema of Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology and Prof. Lawrence Darkwah, the Coordinating Dean of KNUST-Obuasi Campus were the lead facilitators for this workshop. The lectures given explained the need for LCA, how LCA is conducted, data collection methods, impact assessment methods and how information obtained can be interpreted and applied, applications of LCA and pertinent issues related to Energy and Chemical Sustainability.
A fun day activity held on the 26th of October, 2024 was also organized for the participants after the first week to relieve stress after a long week of engaging activities and also to improve networking.
Aside lectures, group discussions and activities were conducted usually after lunch break. Short tests, question and answer sessions were also included. Project topics were allocated to the seven groups formed towards the end of the workshop which required application of all that had been taught. Group finding were subjected to peer review during preliminary presentations after which the final work was compiled and submitted. Additionally, each group was required to have a manuscript prepared based on the topic they were assigned to. The programme was climaxed with a dinner held at the Senior Staff Cub House on the 31st of October, 2024 where certificates were awarded to deserving participants.
Altogether, the workshop was very successful and the objectives set were achieved. Special thanks goes to the leaders for the organizing team for this workshop in Ghana, Dr. Martina Baidoo and France, Dr. Prince Nana Amaniampong for their immense efforts in making this workshop successful.
