Ghacem launches research competition
Ghacem Limited has launched the 3rd edition of its Quarry Life Award (QLA) research competition.
The QLA is a competition organised by the Heidelberg Cement (HC) Group and its subsidiaries across the globe, including Ghacem Limited of Ghana, to source ideas towards the effective regeneration and management of biodiversity in its mining sites across the world.
It essentially seeks and rewards the most effective ideas on possible ways to reclaim lands in areas where the HC Group operates globally.
Protection of local flora
A statement released by Ghacem Limited said the company was committed to promoting the local flora and fauna in its quarries and pits worldwide.
It also stated that students and scientists, as well as NGOs, could participate by submitting project proposals from August 2015 to March 1, 2016.
Dr Bernd Scheifele, the CEO of Heidelberg Cement, said: “We believe that research projects and ideas can raise the knowledge about the biological value of quarrying sites and thereby contribute to further protect and promote biodiversity.’’
Dr Scheifele announced that this year’s competition would take place in more than 20 countries in Europe, Africa, Central Asia and Asia-Oceania.
He further indicated that in this third edition, the contestants would be required to build a project around specific categories, including habitat and species research, biodiversity management, education and raising awareness, beyond quarry borders and student class projects.
Best projects
The five best project ideas in each country will be selected to enter the field work phase based on their innovation, feasibility, added value, stakeholder engagement and educational aspects.
From April to September 2016, all selected projects will compete simultaneously at the national and international levels and will be individually assessed by both national and international juries. The best ideas will be rewarded with national prizes.
The Managing Director of Ghacem, Mr Morten Gade, gave an assurance that the company was ready to ensure the success of the thirrd edition of the QLA.
“These unique habitats will be opened again for research,” he said, and expressed the hope that through the QLA, young people – students, graduates and researchers – would have the chance to add true ecological and educational value to the various mining sites.
Two finalists from Ghana made impressive showing in the first and second editions of the competition held in 2012 and 2014 in Germany and the Czech Republic respectively.
Mr Paul K. Nsiah, a 37-year-old lecturer at the Sunyani campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), emerged the 1st runner-up at the global event in Germany while Kwasi Boadu Ntiamoah, then a final-year student of the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, won one of the category awards”Innovation and Biodiversity“ in the Czech Republic.