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The Koforidua Polytechnic has successfully designed and constructed a fufu processing machine, powered by electricity for domestic use. The machine reduces the time constraint and the human energy in pounding and also prevents lumps and contamination with saliva and sweat. In about five minutes, the machine can process the cooked ingredients to serve a family of four and the machine can be adjusted to churn out the desired consistency of the fufu. Professor Reynolds Okai, Rector of the Polytechnic, announced this at a media briefing at Koforidua, on Friday. He said the machine was designed and constructed by the Mechanical Engineering Department of the School of Engineering, led by Mr John Abban, a lecturer. It is, however, yet to produce more of the machines for the market. Professor Okai announced that some initiatives to train artisans would start next month, while interested members of the community would receive training in charcoal and briquette production. He said the Energy System Engineering Department in collaboration with JICA and Ministry of Energy had set up a solar panel at Mampong Nkwanta in the Akuapem North District that allowed the people to charge their batteries (phones and cars) at highly subsidized fees. �The Energy Systems Engineering Department has also built a 10-metre cube biogas plant which produces biogas from cow dung and grasses in use by the Polytechnic,� he said. Additionally, Professor Okai said, that Department has produced a 100-litre solar water heater in use, using local materials. �The Automotive Engineering Department has modern State of the Art equipment for diagnosis and repairs of vehicles,� he stated. He said the Polytechnic, established in 1997, had continued to fulfil its mandate of providing tertiary education to meet thepractical-based skilled manpower needs of the country. Professor Okai said the mission of the Polytechnic is: �To train the required human resource needed in the fields of manufacturing, commerce, science and technology, applied social science and applied arts in close partnership with industry.� �The Polytechnic is committed to achieving this mission through flexible professional education to the general public, by conducting applied research, by offering consultancy services to both public and private organizations and through community outreach activities,� he assured.