Waste-to-fuel Project in Ghana

"But in a country where sanitation projects are said to be unaffordable and imparactical, it could literally save lives" - Kartik Chandran

Photo: Switch/Peter Dicampo

The Summer 2011 issue of the Columbia University has an article titled “Waste-to-fuel project launches in Ghana.” This article points out the sewage problems in Ghana and the how the contamination of water in the area. The writer has come to the conclusion that it is an economic problem. The question was posed, Can the process of treating wastewater be made more economical?

An earth and environmental engineering professor, Kartik Chandran, believes this can be achieved. A $1.5 million grant the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was awarded to the professor to build a new water-treatment plant in Accra, Ghana to test the technology developed. This treatment plant will be around the size of a gas station and is scheduled to open this fall. 

The benefits of this project is that it will treat the wastewater produced by 3000 people each day. Also, it will produce 260 gallons of biodiesel each day. Over a long period of time, the goal is to capture the attention of entrepreneurs and investors to initiate their own refinery plants.

My Opinon: This is a great program being implemented. This facility doesn’t just bring in equipment to pollute the environment but it actually rectifies the current pollution problem and does not bring in financial debt. One comment I would make to further the development of this project is to start partnerships. One of the millennium development goals of the United Nations is Global Partnerships. If this occurs more resources can be obtained expand this project. In addition to the resources, this technology that was innovated can me implemented in other countries or regions of the world.