Dignitaries in a group photograph at the STEMNNOVATION contest
Free Senior High School (FSHS) Coordinator, Mr. William Darkwah, has called on Ghanaians to applaud President Nana Akufo-Addo for his effort of incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMNNOVATION) in educational curriculum.
Speaking at this year’s STEMNNOVATION competition, Mr. Darkwah said while government has the agenda of ensuring 100% enrolment of school-going children into the Free Senior High School policy, the incorporation of the STEMNNOVATION exposes the beneficiaries to an array of opportunities to solve real-world problems.
He said the STEMNNOVATION initiative has equipped students with skills for emerging industries, encouraging them to develop expertise in fields like coding, robotics, and data analysis.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Professor Kingsley Nyarko, said STEMNNOVATION 2024, aims to transform the country’s educational landscape and equip young people with essential skills for success in the modern world.
In his remark at the grand finale of the third edition of the national STEM contest, Prof. Nyarko said a total of 36 out of 56 participating schools presented projects focused on environmental sustainability, energy, and digital innovation.
He highlighted how Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. “STEM education equips our students with critical thinking and analytical skills to tackle complex problems, while TVET provides them with the technical expertise to turn those solutions into reality. Together, TVET and STEM form the backbone of Ghana’s future workforce. Competitions like this provide a platform for these young innovators to shine,” he pointed out.
Prof. Nyarko expressed his excitement about including TVET institutions in the contest, noting their vital role in the country’s industrialisation and economic transformation agenda.
He further stated that the contest, along with the establishment of STEM centres, reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing STEM and TVET education in the country.
He emphasised the critical need to invest in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as they form the backbone of the country’s future workforce.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr. Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, expressed excitement about partnering with the Ministry of Education for the contest, which aligns with NEIP’s objectives.
As sponsors of the cash prize package, Mr. Nkansah announced that the overall winner would receive GH¢50,000, while the first and second runners-up would receive GH¢40,000 and GH¢30,000, respectively. Those placing 4th to 10th would receive GH¢20,000, and positions from 11th to 20th would earn GH¢10,000.
This year’s competition featured 56 finalists selected from an initial pool of 250 schools across eight zones in the country, showcasing the national scope of the competition and the incredible talent emerging from various regions.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke