Accra: Engineering students at Accra Technical University (ATU) and officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) participated in a demonstration of drone-based crop spraying technology and logistics delivery systems.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event took place at ATU’s Mpehuasem Campus in the Ga West Municipality, showcasing advanced Korean drone technology and its potential applications in Ghana.
The initiative was a collaborative effort between the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KTSA), and ATU, under the Drone Competence Development Academy training program. This program aims to equip students with cutting-edge innovations and advanced solutions tailored for the Ghanaian context. Attendees included representatives from ministries such as Food and Agriculture, Transport, and Science and Environment, among others.
Experts from A Tech Group Korea, the drone manufacturers, presented three drone models during the event. The first drone is designed for capturing videos and images, while the second, dubbed the Black Star Alpha Plus, is set for testing by the GCAA to ensure compliance with both Ghanaian regulatory requirements and international standards. The third model is a pest control drone, capable of spraying pesticides over 1.5 hectares of land within a span of 15 to 17 minutes, with a 16-liter tank capacity.
The pest control drone is engineered to be adaptable to Ghana’s agricultural needs, aiming to provide a seamless and user-friendly experience for farmers. It features a multipurpose Flight Controller (FC) that can be programmed for various operations, including automatic control systems.
Mr. Michael Tagoe, Ghana Representative of A Tech Group Korea and Quality and Safety Manager at the Accra Technical University Drone Center, emphasized the potential of drones as a catalyst for growth in Ghana’s somewhat underdeveloped transportation infrastructure. He highlighted the role of drones in the fourth industrial revolution and the benefits of transferring Korean technology to improve the quality of life in Ghana.
The demonstration is part of a series of training programs under the Official Development Assistant (ODA) initiative, with advanced training sessions scheduled to commence next month. Mr. Jacob Tetteh Lartey, from the State Regulation Department of GCAA, described the initiative as a Ghana-Korea partnership aimed at enhancing the country’s drone sector. He emphasized the importance of customizing drones to meet local needs while ensuring data security and safety.
The event underscored the potential of drone technology to significantly impact Ghana’s agricultural sector by providing innovative solutions that can reach a wide audience, including policymakers and farmers, thereby contributing to the country’s growth and development.