C-Cell Batteries Charge Mobile Phones in Ghana

Using a charging system he made himself, Mr. Acheampong, one of the Abusuapanin Community Leader’s in Bonsaaso village, use’s 4 C dry cell batteries to charge mobile phones. The four 1.5V batteries in series adds up to 6V which is similar to the 5.5V that most cell phones require (amperage varies). The set of batteries cost 1 Ghana Cedi and he is able to charge four phones before needing to replace the batteries. This compares to the 1 Cedi cost of charging a phone at the local cell tower.

–BuildAfrica.org

Mr. Acheampong pays about a dollar for a set of batteries that charges four phones. It’s expensive, bad for the phones, and bad for the environment, but it works. Cell phones may be the future in Africa, but we have to figure out how to keep them charged first.