{
  "id": 15840502,
  "title": "USTED professor calls for Ghana-backed research into locally suited drainage solutions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/usted-professor-calls-for-ghana-backed-research-into-locally-suited",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T03:03:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/usted-professor-calls-for-ghana-backed-research-into-locally-suited-drainage-solutions/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Professor Isaac Boateng, an engineering and climate adaptation specialist at the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED) in Ghana, has called for greater research investment into sustainable drainage solutions tailored to local conditions. At a workshop on teaching Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in Ghanaian institutions, Prof. Boateng emphasized the need for research to determine which interventions work best across the country, urging the Ghana Research Fund and the British Council to consider additional funding for this purpose. He cautioned against adopting international drainage designs without adapting them to local conditions, citing factors such as rainfall patterns, soil conditions, available materials, land constraints, maintenance capacity, and financial circumstances. Prof. Boateng advocated for locally generated evidence to guide engineering practice and public policy, highlighting the importance of field monitoring, student research, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He proposed sustainable drainage approaches such as rain gardens, permeable pavements, vegetated swales, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting to complement conventional drainage systems, recommending their integration into various engineering, construction, environmental management, and urban planning courses. Associate Professor Dr. Cletus Moobela, the project lead, explained that the initiative aims to adapt international knowledge and solutions to Ghanaian contexts, focusing on education and curriculum development rather than site-specific installations. Dr. Moobela emphasized the importance of training future professionals to apply sustainable drainage concepts in their careers. Afia Yeboah Agyeman, Higher Education Project Manager at the British Council in Ghana, thanked the collaborators for their partnership and expressed hope that the project would make a significant impact, attracting more funding and partnerships for broader implementation across Ghanaian higher education institutions.",
  "summary": "A coastal engineering and climate adaptation specialist at the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED), Professor Isaac Boateng, has urged Ghanaian research funders to invest in studies that identify sustainable drainage solutions suited to local conditions. Speaking at a workshop on teaching Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in Ghanaian TVET and higher education…",
  "key_points": [
    "Professor Isaac Boateng calls for Ghana-backed research into locally suited drainage solutions.",
    "Urges Ghana Research Fund and British Council for additional funding.",
    "Proposes sustainable drainage approaches for integration into engineering courses."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}