News
WIN trains 15 youth to turn Coconut waste into Charcoal briquettes
The World Inspiring Network (WIN) has organised a two-day training workshop for 15 young people in the Greater Accra Region to equip them with skills in converting coconut waste into charcoal briquettes.
This initiative, dubbed EcoFlames, aims to promote clean energy, reduce waste, and create green jobs by addressing three key challenges facing the city: mounting coconut waste, youth unemployment, and the reliance on harmful cooking fuels.
The workshop was a collaborative effort with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the International Trade Centre’s Ye! Community, and EBApreneur Solutions Limited.
Participants at the workshop were taken through waste collection, segregation, carbonisation, manual and mechanised briquette production, and the environmental and health benefits of clean energy.
They also engaged in hands-on sessions to prepare them for both small-scale and large-scale production.
Speaking on the sidelines , the Executive Director of World Inspiring Network, Maxwell Odonkor, said the EcoFlames Initiative was designed to empower young people to turn coconut husks and shells into clean-burning briquettes while starting sustainable businesses.
He explained that over 80 percent of households in Accra depended on firewood and traditional charcoal for cooking, which continued to damage the environment and expose users to health risks such as cardiovascular diseases.
Mr Odonkor added that Accra alone generated an estimated 151 tonnes of coconut waste daily, much of which ended up in open drains or landfill sites.
He said converting this waste into briquettes would not only improve sanitation but also provide affordable alternatives to traditional fuels.
He noted that the next phase of the project would involve campaigns in markets and schools to educate women, students and food vendors on the benefits of switching to clean energy.
According to him, plans are also underway to host the Green Action Summit, which is expected to bring together over 200 young people to explore innovative climate solutions.
The Project Lead for EcoFlames and Executive Secretary of WIN, Thelma Naroog Bamanteeh, said the training was intentionally designed to be practical so that participants could immediately apply the knowledge and skills acquired.
She explained that the initiative was addressing two problems at once: reducing deforestation caused by cutting trees for charcoal and tackling improper disposal of coconut waste in the city.
According to her, the NGO had plans to set up a demonstration site but the high cost of equipment remained a challenge.
She therefore appealed to the government to partner with suppliers to reduce the cost of production machines so that more young people and organisations could venture into the sector.
Ms. Bamanteeh maintained that in the long run, the project would not only create green jobs but also improve public health, protect the environment and help Ghana meet its climate action goals.
Background:
Under Phase Two in Accra, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly selected 20 youth-led projects from 59 applications.
The chosen teams received microgrants from a total budget of $100,000 to implement their projects over a six-month period.
Most of the groups have already received their funding and started work on initiatives in waste management, clean energy, urban greening and public education, with WIN’s EcoFlames Initiative among them.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, has praised engineers and technical teams working to restore electricity after a fire at the Akosombo Substation disrupted power supply.
He said this after visiting the facility on Monday night to assess ongoing repair works following the incident, which affected the control room and caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts of power to the national grid.
During the visit, he interacted with engineers and technicians who have been working continuously under difficult conditions to restore operations.
He said he was impressed by their dedication, courage, and professionalism despite the challenges.
The minister commended the teams for their resilience and sacrifice, noting that their efforts reflect a strong sense of duty and commitment to national service.
He assured them of the government’s full support as they continue with the restoration work.
He also assured the public that authorities are doing everything possible to restore stable electricity supply as soon as possible.
By: Jacob Aggrey
