KsTU manufactures foot-operated handwashing machine

Barely three weeks after producing its own brand of hand sanitiser, the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) has again manufactured an industrial-sized foot-operated handwashing machine.

The machine is targeted at eliminating the possibility of one contracting COVID-19 or in effect, all manner of viruses.

The foot-operated handwashing machine was built by the university’s Mechanical Engineering Department and it is a departure from the old system where handwashing devices are operated by hand, allowing for a high possibility of contracting and spreading the COVID-19.

Machine

The machine has a soap dispenser, water and tissue compartments, all three being necessities in promoting a proper handwashing activity.

An engineer, Dr Joseph Ribeiro of the Mechanical Engineering Department of the KsTU, led an eight-member departmental team to produce the industrial-size machine.

It took the team one week to come out with the machine and it cost the university GH¢2,000 to manufacture.

VC

The Vice Chancellor (VC) of KsTU, Professor Osei Wusu Achiaw, said the department had the capacity to produce 10 of the machines in a day.

He called for support from corporate organisations to enable the university to produce more and have them placed at market centres and other places, all in the fight against COVID-19.

The VC said plans were afoot to manufacture smaller sizes fit for homes and offices.

Dean

The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, KsTU, Dr Abena Obiri Yeboah, said the department was poised to roll out a number of inventions capable of solving all manner of human problems.