Six projects for Ghacem Research Campaign

Six finalists have been announced for the fourth edition of the Quarry Life Award (QLA) competition organised by GHACEM Ltd.

They are Evans Ewald Nkrumah from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Abdul-Rahaman Afitiri from University of Cape Coast, (Department of Environmental Science), Daniel Adusu (University of Energy-Sunyani) and Emily Esenam Bansah (UMAT), whose projects are under the research stream while Kwame Konadu Yeboah (KNUST) and Abraham Addo-Ansah Allotey from the Forestry Commission are embarking on a community base research.

They were selected out of a shortlist of 44 applicants, who submitted proposals for consideration into this year’s competition.

New in this fourth edition as outlined is a separate assessment of scientific and community project ideas segmented into research stream and community stream.

Kwabena Labi Addo, QLA National Coordinator, who announced the six finalists observed: “Unlike the previous edition, which had 25 entries, this year recorded a tremendous number of 44, an increase of about 80 percent, hence selecting six was a difficult task more especially as most of the projects were equally good.

“We, in Ghana, are expecting to make a good case both locally and internationally looking at our pedigree in the last 3 editions. We will engage the finalists more and give them the necessary coaching to make Ghana proud.”

The QLA Campaign, organized by the HeidelbergCement (HC) and its subsidiaries across the globe, seeks to source ideas towards the effective regeneration and management of biodiversity in its mining sites.

The campaign rewards the most effective ideas on possible ways to reclaim lands in areas where the HC Group operates globally.

Speaking on behalf of the National Jury, Dr. Daniel E.K.A. Siaw, assured that the projects chosen were viable, feasible and relevant.

“One unique and interesting feature in this year’s edition is that the selection saw a regional balance with most of the participants coming from universities across the country although the selection process was very objective.”

Project titles

The finalists’ projects titles respectively include the impact of mining on foraging bats; promotion of the use of biochar for mine soil amendments and biodiversity enhancement, the statistical determination of the best biological geo-textile for biodiversity promotion in quarries; the socio-economic impact assessment of Talbotiella gentii spp. in five communities; and promoting community participation for sustainable eco-restoration.

Source: Daily Guide