FUTURE ACADEMY SCHOOLS, GHANA: August 2008

Friday, August 29, 2008

Lake Bosomtwe

Lake Bosomtwe was formed by a falling Meteorite about 1.3 million years ago. This was discovered by Rock analysis in 1965 in the USA. Fossils of many animals including Lions, Elephants, Tigers, Black Cobras, Pythons, Alligators and many more were also found along the rivers banks indicating that these animals once inhabited the area around the lake.
The Lake is 90 meters deep and has a diameter of 10.5 Km. Two rivers and ground water keeps the water volume of the lake constant. The lake is surrounded by a peaceful and serene atmosphere

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Our field trip took us to the AKOSOMBO HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER DAM

AKOSOMBO HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER DAM

The Authority's first hydroelectric station is the Akosombo Generation station. Studies into the potential for damming the Volta River for electricity generation was started in 1915. The first stage of the construction began in 1961 when the Volta River project was established and work started on the Akosombo dam and Power Station. Four units with total installed capacity of 588MW were completed in 1965 marking an important step for industrialization and economic growth of the newly independent state of Ghana. The plant was formally commissioned by Ghana 's first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, in January1966. In 1967, Volta Aluminum Company (VALCO) became the main purchaser of power generation from Akosombo apart from ECG and the mines. In 1972, the second stage of the project was completed with the addition of two generating units with installed capacity of 324MW to the Akosombo Generating Station bringing the total number of units to six and total generating capacity to 912MW at that time. During the Akosombo GS Retrofit Project, which took place between October 1999 and March 2005, each generating Unit was uprated to a maximum output of 170 MW. Total Plant capacity is therefore 1020MW. In December 1972, the transmission system was completed to link Togo/Benin's power system to Ghana 's enabling power to be transmitted to these countries. Production Process - Akosombo Hydro Plant Electricity is generated anytime there is a relative motion between conductors (commonly called wire) and a magnet. An electric generator is therefore a machine designed with conductors and magnet, requiring an external prime mover to create the needed relative motion. A common prime mover is a turbine, which is normally coupled to the rotating part of the generator.

A Visit To The Umbrella Rock

Umbrella Rock
Other attractions in the Yilo Krobo District include the Umbrella Rock. The Umbrella Rock is about thirty minutes walk in the forest from Boti falls. The umbrella Rock is sited on a high land and thus, making it possible to watch nature hundreds of miles away into the green.
The Umbrella Rock is referred to as Akatamann, which simply means Umbrella in the Akan dialect.

A Trip To Boti Waterfalls

The Boti Fall is found in the forest reserve at a town known as Huhunya located in the Eastern Region of Ghana which is about 17km North-East of Koforidua, the capital of the region. The Fall flows from river ponpon which starts at Ahenkwa-Amalakpo and flows through various towns before reaching the town of Boti Langmase where it turns into the waterfalls. Boti Falls is a 30m high waterfall within the Boti Forest Reserve about 30 minutes east of Koforidua. A small hike down some stone steps takes you to the waterfall with a pool at the base, which is safe for swimming. Guided walks of the forest and some caves can be arranged. Boti Waterfall is a sacred site and is home to a famous festival every July. It is good places for a picnic lunch so bring the Papaye Lodge Ice Box.Boti falls is actually made up of two waterfalls. According to the local people the big one is the male and the smaller one, a female. When the two merge, it is said that they are mating. The merging forms a rainbow. Within the vicinity of the falls are summer huts and other visitor facilities.