Adidome Senior High wins Volta Regional Renewable Energy Challenge

Adidome Senior High School has emerged as the Volta Regional champion in the 2025 edition of the Renewable Energy Challenge, triumphing over nine other schools to secure a place in the national finals.

The competition, organised by the Energy Commission, was held on June 17 at OLA Senior High School in Ho, and forms part of efforts to inspire practical innovation in renewable energy across Ghana’s second-cycle institutions.

Held under the theme “Sustainable Energy and a Healthier Future,” this year’s contest challenged students to develop impactful, real-world solutions to environmental issues. Adidome SHS impressed the judges with a smart dustbin system that segregates plastic and metal waste. The waste is then dried, shredded, and recycled into water-resistant pavement blocks—engineered to support effective drainage and mitigate flooding.

The project was lauded for its technical ingenuity and social relevance, combining sustainability with job creation. The smart dustbins, which also introduce new roles for collection and maintenance, form part of the team’s broader ambition to tackle waste management while reducing youth unemployment. The students now advance to the national stage, where they will represent the Volta Region in a bid to secure a fourth consecutive national title.

Their project was supervised by Mr. Godfred Arthur Boison, a Chemistry teacher at the school, who revealed that the team is developing further applications for recycled materials, including school furniture like tables and chairs. This, he noted, aligns with the school’s long-term vision of using waste to solve infrastructure challenges.

Mr. Fredrick Ken Appiah, Deputy Director in charge of Renewable Energy at the Energy Commission, highlighted that the challenge has become a key innovation platform for the youth over the past six years. He noted that selection for the regional finals is competitive, involving internal school contests and rigorous research and prototype development.

He added that while Volta Region schools have dominated the national contest in recent years, the Commission aims to democratise access by encouraging participation from under-resourced institutions. “Talent is not defined by privilege. With the right support, schools in deprived communities can excel,” Mr. Appiah said.

He revealed that a post-challenge support fund is being considered to help students refine and commercialise their projects, regardless of whether they win at the national level. This fund would ensure that no promising idea is lost due to lack of funding.

One of the most notable outcomes of past challenges is the solar dehydrator project, which has already been tested and patented. Mr. Appiah explained that intellectual property rights for such innovations belong to the students, schools, and their mentors, with the Energy Commission acting as a facilitator to connect ideas with real-world implementation.

The event was also graced by the Volta Regional Director of Education, Mr. Francis Agbemadi, who praised the students, teachers, and organisers for their commitment to innovation-driven learning. He urged greater investment in education that emphasises creativity and critical thinking, describing the challenge as a “strategic tool for building 21st-century problem-solvers.”

Mr. Agbemadi acknowledged the financial burden often shouldered by teachers and called for structured mechanisms to support project-based learning. “With better funding and stakeholder collaboration, we can achieve even greater milestones,” he said.

Winning teams are awarded not only with recognition but also with an educational visit to Ashesi University, strengthening the link between academic learning and practical innovation. The Commission expressed gratitude to its partners, especially GIZ and Ashesi University, for their continued support.

As the national competition approaches, Adidome SHS is refining their prototype with input from judges and mentors. Their smart dustbin project represents a bold step toward a greener, more sustainable Ghana—and a testament to the power of youth innovation in solving the country’s most pressing challenges.