More than 30 top level speakers are expected at the conference which will have about 40 exhibitors with keen interests in exploring opportunities in the West African energy and environment ecosystems such as automotive and transport, biofuel and agriculture, energy management and efficiency, energy storage, E-waste, innovative packaging and construction .

The three-day conference, which has been relaunched on the theme: “WACEE goes greener”, will bring together, industry experts from three focus industrial sectors, namely; Clean Energy, Circular Economy and Water.”

The delegate at the German Industry and Commerce in Ghana, Mr Michael Blank, told media practitioners during a briefing in Accra that the conference would highlight on harnessing innovation for a sustainable future with speakers from sectors such as politics, business, energy and environment from Ghana and West Africa.

He said the event would include open interactive sessions, insightful workshops, tailor-made training programmes and an exhibition.

Mr Blank noted that each time they organised the event, they tried to improve on it.

He stressed that Germany had the competency in a number of areas, adding that for this year’s event, they would come out with a different WACEE, adding that they did not want to just organise a conference but to add the traditional aspect to the programme to make it more exciting and attractive.

The delegate pointed out that, “Since its inception in 2012, WACEE organised by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana (AHK Ghana) has developed into one of the most relevant meeting grounds for renewable energy and environment topics in West Africa.”

Good reasons

Touching on what to expect at WACEE ‘19, Madam Katharina Felgenhaeur, Head of Competence Centre, Energy and Environment said the entire programme had been revamped to make it respond to innovative drives on the market.

She said that was because the event did not come on last year for good reasons and they had to re-assess it to ascertain where they were on the market.

“Because this has to do with competency, we are trying to get expertise and build partnerships and develop opportunities in Ghana.

There will be potential latest developments in renewable energy and stakeholders will be brought together to discuss such areas as water and circular economy, among others, and there will also be some side events.

Madam Katharina said they were expecting participation to include people from not only Ghana, but throughout West Africa and Europe.

WACEE challenge

The Project Manager, Energy and Environment, Mr Andrew N M Aryee, said the rebranded concept had kicked off with an idea contest dubbed: ‘WACEE Challenge’ to promote innovative ideas that addressed challenges in the West African energy and environment ecosystems.

She said WACEE Challenge offered an exclusive opportunity for companies, start-ups, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), schools, academic and research institutions working within water, circular economy or clean energy in West Africa to pitch on an international platform in front of experts, business leaders and investors and win a free booth at WACEE ’19 to showcase and further develop their idea.

The selection of the WACEE Challenge 2019, he noted, would be done in two phases.

In phase one, he said participants would be expected to submit a one-page summary and a short video of two minutes maximum, clearly defining problems they had identified and propose ground-breaking solutions.

In phase two, they will give selected participants the opportunity to present a more detailed concept and pitch their proposed solution to a panel of judges after which the shortlisted participants will be notified.

AHK

AHK Ghana enhances sustainable economic activities between Germany, Ghana and other West African economies including Mali, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Senegal and Burkina Faso.

Drawing from its vast experience and expertise, AHK Ghana provides high quality services to German, Ghanaian and other West African companies seeking a comprehensive overview of the various markets of interest in order to make well-informed business decisions.