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The highly anticipated STEM Festival 2024 reached its climax today, November 21, 2024, with the opening ceremony of the Sci-Tech Fair at the National Theatre.
The festival comprises two main components: The Mentorship Sessions and the Sci-Tech Fair. Over the past two weeks, seasoned mentors have graced the Mentorship Sessions, providing valuable career guidance to participants. The second phase of the Sci-Tech Fair officially commenced today at the forecourt of the elegant National Theatre.
The ceremony began with the Master of Ceremonies, Yusif Yakubu, introducing the distinguished members of the high table. These included the Managing Director of Primetime Limited, Ms Nana Akua Mensa-Bonsu; STEM Consultant, Mr Michael Mensah; and Ms Antoinette Amakye, a representative from Jupay Money Transfer.
In her opening address, Ms Mensa-Bonsu warmly welcomed the participating schools to the Sci-Tech Fair and the Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge. She highlighted the transformative potential of these events under the STEM Festival.
Ms Mensa-Bonsu elaborated on the festival’s two components: the Mentorship Sessions, which provided insights from professionals in STEM-related fields, and the Sci-Tech Fair, which is made up of the Sci-Tech fair and the Innovation Challenge. Over the course of 12 sessions, experts from diverse fields shared their experiences, guiding students on career opportunities in STEM under the theme: “Empowering Young Minds: Inspiring STEM Excellence through Media and AI.”
She emphasised that the Sci-Tech Fair offers a unique opportunity for participants to transform ideas into tangible solutions, showcasing creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork. Over the next three days, young innovators will develop projects based on the theme:“Exploring Agritech Solutions to Boost Ghana’s Agricultural Industry.”
Students will work independently, without assistance from their teachers, using tools provided by Primetime Limited.
Ms Mensa-Bonsu also expressed the vision behind the STEM Festival:
“In a few years, we aim to build a generation of young innovators who can create independently, transforming Ghana through STEM projects designed by the students themselves.”
She acknowledged the schools participating in the Exhibition, which include Apam SHS, New Gbawe Experimental 1, Weija Presby JHS, High Speed School, Daylight International School, Abeka 1 JHS, St Francis Xavier Basic School, and Kotababi 13 JHS. She congratulated the ten schools selected to participate in the Innovation Challenge and encouraged them to embrace this as a learning opportunity. Additionally, she urged visitors to explore the Experiential Stand, a hands-on space where attendees of all ages can engage with interactive science and conduct experiments.
Mr Michael Mensah, a consultant for the Sci-Tech Fair, also addressed the audience. He spoke about the agricultural sector’s vital role in Ghana’s economy, emphasising the need for transformative, sustainable, and practical innovations to empower the agricultural landscape:
“As judges, we are looking for more than just impressive science projects. We want solutions that are transformative, practical, and capable of empowering Ghana’s agricultural communities.” he noted.
The opening ceremony concluded with an invitation for attendees to explore the exhibition booths, where the ingenuity of Ghana’s young innovators takes centre stage.
The 2024 edition of the STEM Festival is produced by Primetime Limited and proudly sponsored by Pepsodent, Jupay, Bel Beverages, YFM and GTP.