Accra, Ghana — March 24, 2025
Ghana has officially joined the global stage of youth innovation and robotics with the successful launch of the first-ever national edition of the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge, held on March 22, 2025, at Academic City University in Accra. Organised by The MakersPlace, this milestone event marked Ghana’s entry into a prestigious United Nations-backed global initiative powered by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under its AI for Good programme.
Designed to empower young minds to use technology for social impact, the 2025 maiden edition in Ghana challenged students to design robotic solutions for Disaster Response—addressing real-world emergency scenarios while contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With over 180 student participants, 23 teams from schools across the country competed to develop life-saving innovations and earn a coveted spot at the Global Grand Finale in Geneva, Switzerland this July.
A Salute to Participating Schools
The MakersPlace extended heartfelt appreciation to the schools that boldly stepped forward to empower their students to become leaders in the emerging technology landscape. Their commitment to STEM education and innovation is evident in their enthusiastic participation in the national challenge. Participating schools included: Academic City University, My Redeemer School, Adisadel College, Koforidua Senior High and Technical School, St. Peter’s Mission Schools, Royal Standard Learning Centre, Joy2TheWorld International Academy, The Oyster Academy, Amrahia Community School, Globen School, and KinderKids International School. These institutions are playing a vital role in nurturing a generation of problem-solvers who are poised to create real impact through technology.
Winners Announced, Geneva Awaits
The national finals culminated in a tightly contested showcase of engineering skill and social consciousness. My Redeemer School emerged as the standout institution of the day, taking top prizes in both categories:
- Senior Category Winner: My Redeemer School (Redeemer Tech)
- Junior Category Winner: My Redeemer School (R Tech)
Other finalists included Adisadel College (Sandroid) and Joy2TheWorld International Christian Academy (Mech Crusaders) in the senior division, with KinderKids International School (The Teknos) and Amrahia Community School (ACS Tech Titans) rounding out the top junior teams.
These winning teams will now represent Ghana at the Global Grand Finale of the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge during the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, this May. Their prize packages include gold passes to the summit, exhibition space at the Youth Zone, and the chance to pitch their innovations to global technology leaders and policymakers.
Coaching Champions
Behind every great team is a dedicated mentor, and Karen Sakyibea Osei Mensah, coach of the winning My Redeemer School teams, shared heartfelt reflections on her students’ journey:
“As the coach of the winning team, I am immensely proud of the team’s achievements and the growth of each individual member. Witnessing their determination, resilience, and teamwork throughout this journey has been truly inspiring.
Beyond the trophies and rankings, their real success lies in the invaluable skills they have acquired, the challenges they have conquered, and the confidence they have built along the way.
Their success reinforces my belief that, with continued dedication and support, we will excel in the upcoming International League in Geneva and bring pride to our motherland.
Kudos once again to the team—this is just the beginning!”
Her words underscore the importance of guidance, encouragement, and belief in the potential of young learners in STEM.
Judging the Future
The competition was adjudicated by a panel of experts drawn from Ghana’s science, tech, and education communities. Mawunyo Avornyo, a senior category judge, remarked on the quality and intensity of the event:
“Well, I think it was good. The rules of the game were quite strict and the challenge was really not that easy, but I think most of the schools delivered their best performance. We should definitely have more of such challenges.”
Her comments reflect a shared belief among judges and organisers that these competitions are not just exercises in engineering—they are incubators for confidence, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Power of Collaboration and Youth Potential
Beyond the competition, the Robotics for Good Challenge underscored the impact of community partnerships and cross-sector collaboration in advancing STEM education in Africa. Jonathan Kennedy Sowah, CEO of InovTech STEM Center and co-organiser of the event, shared his reflections:
“Co-organising the AI for Good Robotics for Good Youth Challenge in Ghana was a truly enriching experience. Witnessing the creativity and innovation of Ghanaian youth as they leveraged AI and robotics to tackle real-world challenges was inspiring. The event not only showcased the potential of African youth in STEM fields but also demonstrated the power of collaborative efforts in driving positive change. I’m grateful to have been a part of this initiative and look forward to seeing the impactful projects that emerge from it.”
Inspiring Innovation, Building Futures
The event also featured an impressive lineup of speakers from Ghana’s technology and education ecosystem. Guillem Martinez Roura, AI and Robotics Programme Officer at the ITU, delivered a keynote address, alongside national tech leaders such as Dzifa Gunu (CEO, Ghana Digital Centre), Richard Osei-Anim (Coral Reef Innovation Hub), and Douglas Ayitey, Founder and CEO of The MakersPlace.
“This is more than a competition—it’s a national platform for Ghanaian youth to show how technology can be used to solve real-world problems,” said Douglas Ayitey. “By designing robotic systems for disaster response, these students are not only acquiring critical STEM skills, but also contributing to building safer, more resilient communities worldwide.”
Strong Support from Ecosystem Partners
The success of the 2025 edition was made possible by a coalition of supporters, including Academic City University, InovTech STEM Center, TechTen Planet, FireFly IO, and several local schools and media outlets. Their involvement ensured access to mentorship, learning resources, and public visibility for the students’ work.
About the Organiser: The MakersPlace
The MakersPlace is a Ghana-based innovation and STEM education hub dedicated to equipping young people with the skills, mindset, and opportunities to thrive in the digital economy. Through hands-on programs in robotics, AI, and emerging technologies, The MakersPlace fosters creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship among students and teachers. As the national organiser of the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge in Ghana, the organisation plays a key role in bridging the gap between global tech innovation and local youth empowerment.
A Vision for Global Impact
With Ghana’s top youth roboticists headed to Geneva, expectations are high for their performance on the international stage. But regardless of the final results, the message is clear: Ghana’s young minds are ready to tackle the world’s biggest challenges with creativity, resilience, and purpose.
For media inquiries or partnership opportunities:
Email: info@makersplacegh.com
Website: www.makersplacegh.com
Social Media: @makersplace_robotics
