Michael Owusu-Tweneboah with his cash cheque
Michael Owusu-Tweneboah, MPhil student in Mining Engineering at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) Tarkwa, who undertook a project on ‘Determination of the Best Soil Enrichment Method using ANOVA Technique,’ has been adjudged the best in the 3rd edition of the Quarry Life National Award (QLA) organized by GHACEM Limited.
He was presented with a trophy and cash cheque of GH¢20,342.50 (€5000) at the National Awards ceremony, which was held on 13th October at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.
His closest competitor, Emmanuel Taye, who placed second with his project ‘Impacts of Quarry Dust on Water Resource and its Effect on Biodiversity: The Odonata Assessment, took home GH¢12,205.50 (€3000) and a trophy.
Masen Koranteng, the third placed, also won a trophy and GH¢6,102.75 (€1500). His project was an assessment of “Geospatial Analysis of biodiversity changes in and around the Yonqwa Quarry site.”
The five projects, including those of Daniel Cudjoe and Jonas Dwomoh, who placed 4th and 5th respectively, were selected for the QLA initiative which seeks to source ideas towards the effective management of biodiversity in all mining sites of HeidelbergCement (HC) Group, the parent company of GHACEM.
In his welcome address, Managing Director of GHACEM, Morten Gade, noted that raising the knowledge of the biological value of mining sites and contribute to further enhancing it informed the decision of its parent company, HeidelbergCement’s to launch the QLA Competition, stressing that the HC Group are committed to managing biodiversity during and after extraction.
Mr. Gade used the opportunity to call on stakeholders in the cement industry to join the company and other cement manufacturing companies, as it battles unfair trade practices by some new players in the industry.
“Local manufacturers have more than adequate capacity to meet the market demand for quality cement with an installed capacity production of 8 million tons against a market demand of 5 million tons importation of bagged cement is not necessary,” he said, citing importation of cement from China and that of finished bulk cement by Dangote from South Korea.
In a report, National Jury member, Dr. Erasmus Owusu said based on what was witnessed at the field and the presentations made by the 5 finalists, criteria used to select the best project included Quality of work in the field; Transferability of work to other sites, nationally and globally; Scientific rigour and the significance of projects in improving the knowledge of mining ecology.
Guest speaker, Nii Osah Mills, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, observed that Ghana’s natural resources contribute immensely to the socio-economic development as such efforts aimed at sustainable environmental management during after extraction of mineral resources deserve special commendation.
He therefore applauded GHACEM and the HC Group for promoting this cause.