SolaWash
{{short description|Automated hand washing machine}}
{{Infobox product
| title = Solar Wash
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| type = Mobile Washing Solar Machine
| inventor = Richard Kwarteng & Team
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| available = Available
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SolaWash is an automated and mobile hand washing machine powered by solar panels. It was invented by Richard Kwarteng and his team in Kumasi, Ghana. The Solar Wash machine was invited to fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic by not touching the tap before and after washing hands. Richard Kwarteng said he took inspiration from the veronica bucket when he and his team was inventing the solar wash.{{Cite web|url=https://citinewsroom.com/2020/04/gsa-certifies-solar-automated-hand-washing-machine/|title=GSA certifies solar automated hand washing machine|date=2020-04-16|website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/local/ghanaian-man-invents-solar-powered-hand-sensitive-barrel-to-help-fight-covid-19-video/y9c38k7|title=VIDEO: Ghanaian man invents solar-powered hand sensitive barrel to help fight COVID-19|date=2020-04-03|website=Pulse Gh|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-16}}{{Cite web|date=2020-05-07|title=Touchless Tap hand-washing stations in Ghana|url=https://diraj.org/stories/touchless-tap/|access-date=2020-07-10|website=DIRAJ|language=en-US}}
Mechanics
The solar wash machine is powered by a sensor which allows an individual to wash hands without touch the tap. When washing hands the soap comes out from the tap first for individual to wash hands thoroughly with liquid soap during which an alarm beeps for twenty-five seconds after which water comes out of the tap to rinse hands. The system can wash the hands of 150 individuals.{{Cite web|url=https://yen.com.gh/153449-jude-osei-un-contacts-ghanaian-invented-solar-powered-hand-washing-machine-video.html|title=Jude Osei: UN calls Ghanaian who invented a solar-powered hand washing machine|last=Crabbe|first=Nathaniel|date=2020-04-15|website=Yen.com.gh - Ghana news.|language=en|access-date=2020-04-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.adomonline.com/ghanaian-invents-sensor-hand-washing-sink-from-scraps-photosvideo/|title=Ghanaian invents sensor hand-washing sink from scraps [Photos+Video]|last=Bonney|first=Abigail|date=2020-04-05|website=Adomonline.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-16}}{{Cite web|title=CATALYST - SolaWash: Solar-Powered Hand-Washing Station Protects Ghana from COVID-19|url=https://catalyst.cm/stories-new/2020/6/25/shoemakers-solar-powered-hand-washing-station-protects-ghana-from-covid-19|access-date=2020-07-10|website=CATALYST|language=en-US}}
Certification
The Technology was certified by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) in four days instead of the normal twenty-one days of certification. This was quickly commercialized to fight against COVID-19.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/local/gsa-approves-solar-automated-hand-washing-machine-to-fight-covid-19/khybtnb|title=GSA approves solar automated hand washing machine to fight COVID-19|date=2020-04-16|website=Pulse Gh|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-16}}
Achievements
The team of inventors led by Richard Kwarteng were endorsed by The President of Ghana Nana Akuffu-Addo and other global bodies like United Nation (UN).{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghanaquest.com/president-commends-three-young-ghanaian-inventors/|title=President Commends Three Young Ghanaian Inventors|date=2020-04-06|website=Ghana Quest|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-16}}