Ahantaman Girls Senior High School has beaten eight other schools to emerge champion of the Southern Zone of the 7th Energy Commission Senior High School Challenge, following an impressive demonstration of a solar-powered fish-smoking innovation.
The school scored 85 points with its Solar-Powered Royal Kiln, a smart fish smoker designed to demonstrate the practical application of renewable energy in food processing.
The competition, organised by the Energy Commission, took place in Kumasi on Wednesday and brought together nine senior high schools to showcase their innovative projects in renewable energy, science and technology.
Presbyterian Boys Senior High School came close to claiming the top spot, finishing second with 84 points after presenting its PoultryGrid project.
Kpando Senior High School secured third place with 83 points through its demonstration of a 24-hour Mobile Plastic Recycling Machine.
The top three schools have consequently qualified for the national grand finale, scheduled for November 17 at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) auditorium.
The outcome highlights the competitive spirit among the participating schools as students use scientific knowledge to develop practical solutions to challenges facing Ghana.
Nine Schools Battle for Honours
The Southern Zone contest saw the nine participating institutions present projects aimed at addressing various technological, environmental and energy-related concerns.
Kpedze Senior High School finished fourth with 81 points, while Sogakope Senior High School placed fifth with 74 points.
Ebenezer Senior High School occupied sixth position with 72 points, followed by Tema Mamhean Senior High School in seventh place with 67 points.
Mfantseman Girls Senior High School secured eighth position with 66 points, while Forces Senior High School completed the rankings with 63 points.
As part of the awards, Ahantaman Girls Senior High School received a trophy, a box of energy-efficient streetlights, LED bulbs and 20 T-shirts.
All participating students also received calculators, notepads and T-shirts.
Energy Commission Applauds Students' Creativity
Speaking after the contest, George Sappor, Coordinator of the Energy Commission Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge, praised the students for their creativity and commitment to scientific innovation.
He said the projects demonstrated that young Ghanaians had the potential to contribute meaningfully to the country's development through science and technology.
According to him, the innovations presented at the competition offered encouraging signs for Ghana's energy future.
Sappor congratulated the three qualifying schools and urged them to improve their projects ahead of the national grand finale.
He also encouraged the other participating institutions to remain motivated, stressing that their performance should not be judged solely by their final positions.
"Some of the greatest inventors did not win their first competition. Keep building and we hope to see you again next year," he said.
He expressed gratitude to the judges, teachers, the Ghana Education Service and other stakeholders for their contributions towards the successful organisation of the competition.
Renewable Energy Critical to 24-Hour Economy
Chris NanaBanyin Yalley, Acting Deputy Executive Secretary in charge of Administration at the Energy Commission, said the competition was part of efforts to encourage students to develop an interest in renewable energy, science, technology and innovation.
He explained that the initiative sought to challenge students to look beyond classroom lessons and develop practical solutions to energy-related problems confronting the country.
Addressing participants on the theme, "Harnessing Renewable Energy to Power Ghana's 24-Hour Green Economy," Yalley highlighted the importance of sustainable energy in supporting Ghana's economic transformation.
He noted that the success of the 24-hour economy would require an affordable, reliable and sustainable energy supply to enable businesses to operate effectively around the clock.
Renewable energy, he said, would be an important component of efforts to achieve that objective.
"There are many opportunities for us to explore," he added.
Eyes on the National Grand Finale
With the Southern Zone competition concluded, attention now shifts to the national grand finale in Accra, where Ahantaman Girls Senior High School, Presbyterian Boys Senior High School and Kpando Senior High School will seek to distinguish themselves against other qualified schools.
The competition continues to provide an avenue for young people to translate scientific ideas into practical innovations while promoting renewable energy and environmental sustainability.
Ahantaman Girls Senior High School's victory with its solar-powered royal kiln has placed the school in the spotlight as the successful team prepares for the next stage of the Energy Commission's initiative.
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