[Photos] Ahafoman SHS emerges as the champions of the 2023 STEMNNOVATION competition.

On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, Ahafoman Senior High School (SHS) emerged as the winners of the 2023 STEMNNOVATION competition.

Ahafoman SHS showcased their exceptional innovation and technological expertise in Accra, securing victory in the competition. The event featured participants from 24 SHSs, including Technical and Vocational Education Training Institutions (TVETS) from across the nation.

The all-female team from Ahafoman SHS claimed victory with 164 points, presenting a project on the Flexible Use of Electricity. Their project involved generating electricity through a locally modified generator and accumulator, connected to a solar panel, to power a plant-based incubator.

As a reward, the three contestants and their coaches earned a sponsored week-long trip to Japan, where they will participate in an international STEM competition next year. Additionally, they were granted a four-year full scholarship to any Engineering University in Ghana and received GH₵50,000 in cash from the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP).

Furthermore, the team received desktop computers from Omega Computers, GH₵20,000 life insurance cover from GLICO Insurance Company, medals, and STEM textbooks. They also won the “Girls Team Award” of GH₵5,000 from Bountiful Technologies, while their coaches received mobile phones from Motorola.

Wesley Grammar SHS secured second place with 150 points, earning a cash prize of GH₵30,000, a laptop, and a printer. Bosomtwe Girls’ SHS finished in third place with 143 points, receiving a cash prize of GH₵20,000, a laptop, and a printer. Both schools’ teams also received insurance covers, trophies, textbooks, and other souvenirs.

Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Education Minister, expressed his excitement at the students’ performance and extended his gratitude to the judges, coaches, headmasters, and headmistresses for their support and encouragement. He acknowledged that the skills and innovation demonstrated by the participating schools highlighted the positive outcomes of the nation’s education reforms. Dr. Adutwum pledged to construct a new science laboratory for Ahafoman SHS, which currently lacks one.

Nana Afrah, the Deputy Coordinator of the Free SHS Secretariat, commended all the sponsors and institutions involved in the competition’s second edition. She assured that efforts would be made to enhance future editions of the competition, aiming to improve the teaching and learning of science in schools across the country.

In addition to the overall winners, special project awards were presented. Wesley Grammar secured first place in Urban Gardening, while Bosomtwe Girls claimed second place, and Dabokpa Technical Institute finished in third place. Swedru SHS, Akuse Methodist, and Bosomtwe STEM Academy were recognized as winners in the Clean Water Project category. Ahafoman SHS took first place in the Effective Use of Electricity project, with St Louis placing second. Kpando Technical Institute received the Applied Technology Institute Core Values Award, and Suntreso SHTS was honored with the Engineering Award. Dabokpa Technical Institute received the Best Presentation award, and Wesley Grammar was recognized for having the best STEM project.

The competition, organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), serves as a platform for students to showcase STEM projects designed to address societal challenges. This year’s projects were categorized under Urban Gardening, Clean Water, and Effective Use of Electricity.