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RAGA Project Workshop Highlights Groundbreaking Advances in Groundwater Exploration
The Rapid Assessment of Groundwater Availability (RAGA) project held its dissemination workshop at the CSIR Water Research Institute in Accra, bringing together key stakeholders in Ghana's water sector to discuss innovative approaches and findings in groundwater exploration. The workshop, chaired by Prof. Leonard K. Amekudzi, Provost of the College of Science at KNUST, showcased the project's multidisciplinary efforts and the promising potential of AI technology in improving groundwater management.
Prof. Amekudzi opened the workshop with remarks that emphasized the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to tackling the complex challenges of groundwater exploration. He highlighted key findings of the RAGA project and called for robust stakeholder support to ensure the project's success and sustainability.
Dr. Cyril Boateng, the Principal Investigator of the RAGA project, provided an overview of the project's objectives, methodologies, and potential impacts. He recounted the project's inception at KNUST and underscored the significance of presenting the results at the dissemination workshop. Dr. Boateng also demonstrated the project's website and web app designed to predict groundwater availability, showcasing the practical applications of their research.
Several key stakeholders from the Water Resources Commission, CSIR Water Research Institute, Ghana Water Company, Community Water and Sanitaton Agency and the Ghana Borehole Drillers Association delivered insightful messages praising the project's global applicability and innovative approach. They also emphasized the importance of the project's findings for water resource management in Ghana.
The project was under the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Network for Climate Action in Africa run by WASCAL, Ruforum and Akademiya 2063 and funded by IDRC. Representing the hub at the workshop, Prof. Lamptey from WASCAL lauded the multidisciplinary nature of the project and expressed long-standing support. Also present was the Principal Investigator for the RAINCA Hub Prof Daouda Kone.
The workshop also featured presentations from students showcasing innovative research approaches including using the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process to predict groundwater resources in the Densu Basin by Ms Mensah Vera; AI-based algorithms to map groundwater potential in Ghana's Central Region by Ms. Haoulata Toure and the use of machine learning to predict groundwater yield variations by Mr. Afful K. Samuel.
The RAGA dissemination workshop underscored the significant achievements of the project and the vital role of multidisciplinary collaboration in addressing groundwater exploration challenges. The insights and suggestions from stakeholders will guide the project's future direction, ensuring its continued success and impact on sustainable water management in Ghana.