Some students exhibiting their innovations at the event
As part of the 16-day job and entrepreneurship fair aimed at providing young Ghanaians with essential skills and employment opportunities, The Ghana Report launched its novel STEMnovation event among schools.
The STEMnovation event seeks to celebrate and showcase the innovative potential of the youth, specifically inventors from second-cycle and tertiary institutions across the country who will present ground-breaking projects, with a focus on providing homegrown solutions that address real challenges facing the country.
Coordinator of the Ghana Report Jobs and Entrepreneurship Fair, Adid Saani said selected innovations will be eligible to qualify for funding, which will provide these inventors with the opportunity to upscale their projects to the next level.
The participating schools included Bosomtwe STEM SHS (Boys), St. Louis Senior High School, Afia Kobi Ampem Girls’ Senior High School, Adako Jachie Technical Institute, St. Mary’s Senior High School, Accra High School, St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School, Kukurantumi Roman Catholic JHS, and Achimota Senior High School.
Some of the innovations exhibited at the event include a waste treatment plant, smart energy meter, smart aqua grow system, crop lens, unmanned aerial vehicles (civil and military), and an autonomous search and rescue marine vessel.
Others include biogas machine, repairing spoilt LED bulbs, and recycling plastic waste into pavement blocks.
“People have novel ideas that they have nurtured, but they are gathering dust because nobody has sponsored them. That is why we have gathered all these students to come together and exhibit their innovation for funding support,” Mr. Saani said.
Adid Saani emphasised that the STEMnovation has the potential to prepare students for future job markets as STEM skills are in high demand, adding that, it also fosters entrepreneurship and innovation, driving economic growth.
“Innovation is the way to go because the world is rapidly changing. If you don’t restructure your education status you will be left behind. Reason why we are championing this initiative,” he added.
With the Jobs and Entrepreneurship Fair expected to end on Saturday, October 5, 2024, Adid Saani revealed that an estimated number of 3,700 have benefited from direct employment, training, entrepreneurship development, and networking opportunities.
He is optimistic that some participants will be supported with startup kits to make a meaningful living.
Speaking on behalf of Youth Employment Agency (YEA) CEO Kofi Baah Agyepong, Deputy CEO Alhaji Ibrahim Bashiru highlighted the agency’s ongoing commitment to tackling youth unemployment.
“This job fair has created the opportunity for a lot of youth to realise their potential. The event is free of charge and reliable jobs are given to unemployed youth to make a living,” he said.
Mr. Bashiru also underscored YEA’s efforts to revamp Ghana’s artisanal sector in response to competition from neighbouring countries and technological advances.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke