Theft could delay Ghanaian University’s ambition to build satellite ground station

The ambitions of one of Ghana’s private universities to develop space technology could be delayed following a burglary recently.

Thieves stole valuable documents and computers including intelligent components, research findings and designs for a ground station from the All Nations University College (ANUC) in Koforidua, Eastern region, Mr. Manfred Quarshie, Director of the University’s Intelligent Space Systems Lab told ghanabusinessnews.com on the phone.

Mr. Quarshie said most of the items and documents were at the stage referred to as “Preliminary

While, Mr. Quarshie admits that the theft is a setback, he adds that the items that have been stolen “have little or no effect on the miniature satellite.”

The University launched the miniature satellite  “CANSAT” in May 2013, but soon after, on May 23, 2013, thieves broke into the lab and stole the documents and computers related to the satellite.

According to Mr. Quarshie, the development and launching of the miniature satellite for educational purposes is “a step for Ghana to develop its space technology. All the developing countries passed through the same stage,” he said.

He told ghanabusinessnews.com that the University funded the $50,000 project from its resources.

Mr. Quarshie told ghanabusinessnews.com that Ghana’s National Security is investigating the theft.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi