The Climate Research initiative at the DIPPER Lab represents a multidisciplinary commitment to developing scalable, technology-driven solutions for Africa’s most pressing environmental and agricultural challenges. By converging cutting-edge innovations, including artificial intelligence, IoT-enabled environmental monitoring, and blockchain-based supply chain transparency, our researchers are bridging the gap between academic excellence and grassroots impact. 

From mitigating the toxic effects of illegal mining on vital water bodies to empowering smallholder farmers with precision nutrient management and climate-resilient weather forecasting, this portfolio showcases how data-driven intelligence can safeguard ecosystems, enhance food security, and foster sustainable economic empowerment in a rapidly changing climate.

1. AUROK (HERDWATCH) 

Aurok-1 is an innovative livestock monitoring technology designed to help farmers protect and manage their herds through real-time data collection and intelligent analysis. The system integrates low-power sensors, GPS tracking, and wireless communication into a compact wearable device that attaches comfortably to cattle. Aurok-1 addresses two major challenges faced by farmers across Africa: the rising threat of cattle loss due to theft, disease, and environmental stress, and the increasing need for data-driven livestock management to improve productivity and support climate resilience.

2. GALAMSENSE

GalamSense is a sophisticated cyber-physical system developed to provide real-time, autonomous monitoring of heavy metal contamination in Ghana's water bodies caused by illegal mining activities. The platform utilizes a network of solar-powered IoT buoys equipped with advanced electrochemical sensors to perform in situ detection of neurotoxins such as mercury, lead, and arsenic at the molecular level. By integrating this high-fidelity ground data with GalamCast, a deep-learning satellite imagery model, the system creates a "validation loop" that accurately identifies pollution sources and predicts "toxic flush" events triggered by rainfall. This innovation replaces reactive, manual sampling with a low-cost, scalable, and predictive framework, empowering regulatory bodies like the EPA and local health officials with actionable intelligence to safeguard public health and restore environmental integrity.

 

3. AGROTRACE

AgroTrace is a decentralized blockchain platform developed to modernize Ghana's informal food supply chains. Led by Dr. Andrew Selasi Agbemenu, the project uses Hyperledger Fabric technology to create a secure, transparent record of the entire food production lifecycle—from the farm to the consumer's table. By digitizing the movement of grains and integrating Indigenous Knowledge with real-time sensor data, AgroTrace addresses critical challenges such as food contamination, a 30% rate of post-harvest economic loss, and the lack of consumer trust in informal markets. Currently in the testing and iteration stage, the initiative aims to reduce foodborne illnesses and empower smallholder farmers through a scalable, inclusive framework that promotes food safety and digital literacy across Ghana.

4. SIWA

The Smart Indigenous Weather App (SIWA) is a climate resilience project designed to support Ghanaian farmers by integrating traditional indigenous weather knowledge with modern scientific forecasting. Developed by researchers at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partnership with the Ghana Meteorological Agency, the initiative uses machine learning and a mobile application to provide localized, reliable climate information such as planting alerts and crop disease detection. By validating and digitizing ancestral ecological indicators alongside satellite data, the project aims to help smallholder farmers make informed agricultural decisions, ultimately reducing crop losses by up to 30% and improving food security for thousands of people in rural communities.

 

5. SMART NITRO

SmartNitro is an AI-powered precision agriculture platform developed by Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to revolutionize nitrogen management for farmers in Ghana and across Africa. By integrating IoT sensors, drone-based heat maps, and machine learning, the system detects nutrient deficiencies in real-time and provides data-driven recommendations to optimize fertilizer application. This approach addresses the critical issue of conventional farming wasting up to 50% of applied nitrogen, aiming instead to boost crop yields by 5% to 15% while reducing fertilizer costs and nitrogen runoff by up to 40%. Supported by the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships Grant, the project seeks to empower over 50,000 farmers and significantly reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture through sustainable, high-tech innovation.