The University of Ghana played host to the third edition of the Ghana Robotics Competition, an event that brought together hundreds of innovative students from across the country.
Powered by Firefly IO and the university’s engineering department, the competition provided a platform for young minds to showcase their skills and creativity in solving real-life problems.
Chairing the event, Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann emphasized the importance of combining knowledge with skills to tackle the country’s challenges.
“Go to every classroom in Ghana, a lot of knowledge is being disseminated, the problem was making sure that the knowledge is applicable to our problems… What a competition like this does is to provide skills,” she stated.
She added that the competition allows students to collaborate and work together, mirroring the way real-life problems are solved.
The competition saw participation from about 70 basic and junior high schools nationwide, with a significant number of students hailing from the Ashanti Region.
According to George Sarfo, the mastermind behind the event, the competition is a stepping stone for young innovators to develop solutions to real-world problems.
In his keynote address, CEO of Ghana Digital Centers, Mr. Dzifa Gunu, lauded the organizers for their efforts in promoting innovation and technology among the youth.
He encouraged the participating students to continue showcasing their talents and acknowledged former President John Dramani Mahama’s plans to support children in becoming great innovators.
Mr. Gunu’s speech was filled with inspiring quotes, including: “Being behind is not the same as being unable,” “Knowledge destroys fear,” “Technology IS development,” and “The future is in this room. And the future is bright.”
These words of wisdom served as a motivation to the young innovators, reminding them of the importance of their work and the bright future ahead.
The Ghana Robotics Competition has undoubtedly become a platform for young minds to showcase their creativity and innovation, and with the support of stakeholders, it is poised to continue inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.
There was also a panel discussion where CEO of Chayil SecureX, Charles Fiifi Hagan, Valerie Labi, CEO of WAHU Mobility and Mr. Imoro Abdulai — an IT expert shared insights on number of topics including cybersecurity.
