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You Are Here: Home » Investment, Second Lead » Israeli company enters biofuel sector in Ghana
A start up Israeli company Galten Global Alternative Energy has entered the biofuel industry in Ghana, Israeli media has reported.
The company which was started less than a year ago says its aim is to “create sources for the distillation of bio-diesel from perennial cultivation of the jatropha plant, which is not fit for human consumption, in Ghana, Africa.”
So far the company, which is based in the town of Kadima, has planted jatropha on 99 acres of land, which is a tenth of the area it plans to cultivate in that particular plantation, according to the reports. However, the company’s ambitious plans is to cultivate nearly 25,000 acres. It intends to produce 15,000 tons of jatropha oil a year within three years, which would amount to $10 million a year.
Galten is not the only foreign company to enter the controversial biofuels sector in Ghana. Other companies from Brazil and Norway including Gold Star Biofuels and Scanfuel Ltd., are cultivating crops for biofuel production in Ghana.
Gold Star Farms Ltd., is cultivating five million acres of land in Ghana to plant jatropha for the production of biofuels for export.
In November 2008, a Norwegian company ScanFuel Ltd., started operations outside Kumasi in the Ashanti region to produce biofuel. ScanFuel aims to start initial cultivation of Jatropha seeds on 10,000 hectares of land.
The company which has a Ghanaian subsidiary, ScanFuel Ghana Ltd., said its Ghanaian unit has contracted about 400,000 hectares of land, with up to 60 percent reserved for biofuel production, “not less” than 30 percent for food production and the remainder for biodiversity buffer zones.
Meanwhile, from March 16 to 18, at the World Biofuels Market 2009 in Brussels, renowned Philantropist and musician, Bob Geldof would be making a case for the cultivation of biofuels in Africa as a means of ending poverty, but opponents of the biofuels agenda argue that what Africa needs is investments in the continent’s agriculture sector to bolster food production in the midst of the current food crisis.
As the debate goes on, it appears Ghana has become a choice destination for foreign investments in biofuels. Some analysts, however hope that it won’t be done at the expense of the country’s already struggling agriculture sector.
By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi
Email: edogbevi@hotmail.com
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I see ghana as the most appropriate country in africa in these recent times for investment.The whole world is of the view that ghana is the gate way to africa,which must be seen as such.
I suppose that extracting oil from jetropha, palm kendle husk, etc would assist to ease presure on our crude oil. During my National Service in October2006 to July 2007 I had the opportunity to collaborate with Total Enegy Design ltd. To embark on research with aid enegy club i established in Kumasi Senior High Technical School (KUMASi) I and my students studied jetropha from its seed through the seedling to her 20th age. I drop this vision and now working with MTN Ghana. But love to be there again. If granted the chance. Becuase from my local field studies @ the university i prefer to be on field work . if my help would be needed please call me on this no. 0244062025/0276131392. hpoe to hearing from you again.
Sir.
We need JETROPHA OIL 25000MT FOR MONTH CAN YOUR COMPANY PRODUCT IT?PLS TEL YOUR PRICE THIS VERY URGENT NEED IN SPAIN.YOUR EMAIL/
the idea of biofuels,jathropa being a plausible alternative source of energy is commendable but in the case of Africa, the cultivation of jathropa requires large acres of land. Africa already is faced with the many improper land management practices which hamper on agriculture outputs which is the major GDP contributor of many countries. making Africa a hub for jathropa cultivation and growth will mean years of minimum agricultural outputs and even less subsistence.developing countries should look at other possible biofuel sources such as algae which can grow naturally and also synthetically.
we are intrested in the cultivation of jetropha for io diesel I wish to know more about the same
i am a final year biochemistry student at the university of science and technology with a great desire for generating other sources of energy for the country and biofuel is one of my favourite sources.i am looking forward to developing this great potential of mine to help your company grow and to be able to supply the country with the needed biofuel since it is a cheap source of energy and your firm is one of the places i think i can achieve this aim.i therefore wish to do an internship programmme at your firm and if possible my national service so that this ambition of mine will be fullfilled.
hope to hear from you soon. THANK YOU
CONTACT; 0274803197
Hello
I need to know more about the cultivation of jetropha. this is because I have decided ton start the cultivation of the plantation in April this year. we have decided to cultivate a 50-acre farm at Okumaning in Kade of the Kweabibrim Didstrict (E/R). this is an urgent call.
To potential investors
We have very competitive biodiesel processors specially designed for african countries climate.
Please feel free to contact me I will reply you and will forward you all relevant document to demonstrate the efficiency of our biodiesel reactors&processors.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all,
jatropha cultivation for the production of biofuels is becoming more and more necessary due to the rise in fuel prices all over the world. Scanfuel Ghana Ltd which is operating outside Kumasi has been of prime imprtance to me. how are they acquiring their seeds for the jatropha plantations?
is the seed source only from Ghana or do they obtain their seeds elsewhere? pls i would appreciate it if u help me with these issues.
I am all about doing great business and making money. It will create jobs for Ghanaians and help with out economy. HOWEVER Israelis should be careful about the unscrupulous business practices. There was a story on TV3 about one Israeli owned company who have decided to suppress their employees when the workers brought their grievances to management’s attention. It is wrong and shameful.