A delegation from the University of L’Aquila, Italy, visited the Barekese Production Unit of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) on Thursday, May 22, 2025, to explore potential collaboration on a pioneering SMART Water (Digital Twin) project.
The visiting team, led by Professor Bruno Rubino, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, was warmly received by Dr. Hanson Mensah-Akutteh, Ashanti Regional Chief Manager of GWCL, and Alhaji Adam Yakubu, the Ashanti Regional Water Quality Manager. The delegation also included Professor Antinisca Di Marco, Coordinator of the L’Aquila node of SoBigData RI; Ms. Sabrina Prioli, Coach and Consultant; Miss Fausta Ludovici and Mr. Marco De Luca from the International Affairs Office.
Dr. Henry Martin, a lecturer in the Department of Physics at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Ghanaian Coordinator of the RealMaths Consortium, highlighted the longstanding collaboration between KNUST and the University of L’Aquila, which spans nearly a decade.
The proposed SMART Water (Digital Twin) Project - set to be piloted at KNUST and also implemented at the Barekese unit - aims to develop experimental, data-driven water solutions through advanced technological innovation.
Professor Antinisca Di Marco (Italian lead) formally presented the project proposal, which is expected to receive funding from the Italian Government.
Dr. Mensah-Akutteh expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasizing that it aligns with the vision of the Barekese Production Unit. He also noted the presence of a wastewater treatment facility on-site, currently non-operational due to a lack of funding. He assured the delegation of his commitment to facilitate a follow-up meeting with GWCL's National Headquarters to further the discussion.
After the formal meeting, the delegation, accompanied by students from KNUST’s Department of Physics, Mathematical and Computational Physics Unit, toured both the Barekese and Owabi production facilities. The tour offered a comprehensive overview of GWCL’s water treatment process - from river water abstraction (from Offin and Owabi resepectively), aeration, and clarification, to filtration - giving the visitors valuable firsthand insight into the company’s operations.
Also present at the meeting were staff from the Department of Physics and Mathematics; and representatives from the International Programmes Office.
