The 5th Edition of the Energy Commission Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge has been successfully held in Accra, showcasing the innovative potential of students across Ghana. Among the 109 schools that participated, Kpando Senior High School from the Volta Region emerged victorious with their groundbreaking project, “Harnessing Plastic as Gold.”
A Platform for Innovation
Initiated in 2019, the Renewable Energy Challenge was designed to educate and raise awareness about renewable energy resources and technologies. It targets students in Senior High and Technical Schools across the country, giving them a platform to explore and develop solutions that address pressing environmental challenges.
This year’s competition, organized by the Ministry of Energy, Ghana Education Service (GES), and Ghana TVET Service, focused on the theme: “Application of Renewable Energy Technologies in Solving Land Degradation and Water Pollution.” This theme reflects Ghana’s growing concern over environmental degradation and its commitment to finding sustainable solutions through renewable energy.
The Winning Project: Turning Plastic into Gold
Kpando Senior High School’s winning project, “Harnessing Plastic as Gold,” impressed the judges with its innovative approach to transforming plastic waste into a valuable resource. Their project addressed the environmental problem of plastic pollution by finding practical ways to repurpose plastic waste, contributing to both environmental sustainability and economic development.
For their outstanding work, Kpando SHS received an impressive prize package worth GH¢210,000. This included GH¢25,000 in cash, five laptops, 55 solar lamps, 20 solar wall lights, 25 LED streetlights, 25 GAST books, a 5KW solar PV system, certificates for participants, a plaque, and branded souvenirs.
Runners-up and Their Projects
In second place was Dabokpa Technical Institute, whose project, the “Smart Purifix System,” aimed to tackle water pollution through an innovative purification system. Their project addressed the significant issue of water contamination caused by illegal mining, agricultural runoff, and other pollutants, offering a potential solution to the water crisis in affected communities.
St. James Seminary and Senior High School took third place with their “Acqua Cleaner Project.” This unique project utilized locally sourced materials such as gallons, barrels, and PVC pipes to create a boat designed to collect floating plastics from water bodies, helping to reduce plastic pollution in rivers and lakes.
A Bright Future for Renewable Energy in Ghana
The Energy Commission’s Renewable Energy Challenge continues to inspire the next generation of innovators in Ghana. By engaging students in practical solutions for environmental issues, the challenge not only fosters creativity but also contributes to the nation’s long-term goals for sustainability.
Kpando SHS’s victory is a testament to the incredible talent and innovation emerging from Ghana’s schools, offering hope that the country’s environmental challenges can be addressed through local solutions and renewable energy technologies.
As the competition grows, it will undoubtedly continue to provide a platform for students to think critically, innovate, and contribute to a sustainable future for Ghana and beyond.
