GAYO donates laboratory equipment worth GH¢ 100,000 to Department of Environmental Science
A co-founder of GAYO, Desmond Alugnoa ( 5th from left) presenting the equipment jointly to the Dean of the School of Biological Sciences, Prof. Aaron Asare ( 2nd from right) and the Head of the Department of Environmental Science, Dr. Ernest Afrifa (3rd from right)
Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) have donated laboratory and field equipment worth GH¢ 100,000 to the Department of Environmental Science of the University of Cape Coast.
As part of efforts to improve teaching and research in their alma mater, members of the GAYO have donated laboratory and field equipment worth GHS 100,000 to the Department of Environmental Science of the University of Cape Coast.
This generous contribution is the first of its kind since the establishment of the Department in 2002.
GAYO was founded by two distinguished alumni of the Department, Joshua Amponsem and Desmond Alugnoa, from the graduating class of 2015.
The donation ceremony witnessed the presentation of various essential items including a Benchtop DOPH conductivity meter, a Turbidity meter, a Handheld PH conductivity meter, a distillation plant, an assortment of glassware, beakers of diverse volumes, and test tubes, among others. These state-of-the-art laboratory and field equipment will significantly bolster the department’s capacity to conduct cutting-edge research and provide students with a comprehensive educational experience.
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Members of GAYO in a group shot with some faculty of the Department
In a keynote address, a founder of GAYO, Joshua Amponsem, expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting the advancement of education and research. He highlighted the importance of access to proper equipment and encouraged students to make the most of the newly donated resources.
He also revealed plans for the establishment of a Student Research Fund initiative soon.
“This initiative will be dedicated to supporting undergraduate and postgraduate students in their research and project work, fostering a culture of academic excellence,” he said.
Head of the Department of Environmental Science, Dr. Ernest Afrifa
Ahead of this donation, the Department of Environmental Science held a roundtable with executives of GAYO on the theme, “Tools of Transformation: Impact of Donated Equipment on Research and Education. During the meeting, the Head of the Department of Environmental Science, Dr. Ernest Afrifa, emphasised equipment’s crucial role in empowering researchers.
He stressed that the availability of essential tools enhances technical competence, facilitates comprehensive training, and enables the generation of accurate and reliable research data. Dr. Afrifa appealed to corporate organizations and philanthropists to collaborate in formulating strategies to transform unused laboratories into fully equipped functional spaces that meet the needs of the department.
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Expressing gratitude on behalf of the department, the Dean of the School of Biological Sciences, Prof. Aaron Asare, commended GAYO for its remarkable contribution and assured that the donated equipment would be put to excellent use by the students.
A plaque at the ENNSA laboratory in honour of GAYO being unveiled
To commemorate this significant donation, the department unveiled a plaque at the ENNSA laboratory in honour of GAYO, recognizing their invaluable support and commitment to advancing environmental science education and research.
Credit: UCC
