STEMAIDE kicked off a new era for Ghana’s tech talent with its first-ever Hack STEMAIDE AI & STEM Hackathon on November 13 at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The fast-paced competition, held during Ghana Digital Innovation Week (GDIW) 2025, brought together 60+ young innovators working in 8 teams to build real AI and robotics solutions using the STEMAIDE Learning Kit.
Why it matters
For the first time at GDIW, students and young professionals weren’t just watching tech demos — they were building technology to solve local problems in real time.
The Big Picture
With the theme “AI for Impact: Local Problems, Smart Solutions,” participants had just one hour to design and prototype smart systems tackling challenges in agriculture, energy, security, accessibility, and urban safety.
The room buzzed with rapid prototyping, teamwork, and impressive creativity — drawing spectators who were visibly stunned at what the young builders produced in minutes.
What they built
Eight teams produced functional prototypes, including:
- Smart Irrigation System – Automated watering using sunlight and water-level detection.
- Plant Light Tracker (Team SolarVerse) – Rotates to follow strongest light for optimal plant growth.
- Smart Streetlight System – Detects ambient light to turn on/off automatically.
- Motion-Based Indoor Light Controller – Saves energy by detecting movement.
- Smart Intruder Alert System – AI-powered motion alarm for farms and homes.
- Smart Traffic Safety Signal (Team Kinetix) – Adjusts traffic light timing based on vehicle presence.
- Gesture-Controlled RGB Lamp – Light changes via hand gestures.
- Smart Walking Aid (Team SAWS) – Assists visually impaired users with obstacle detection and audio alerts.
Winners
Judges Alvin Cudjoe, Claudia Twum, and John Ofori selected teams based on creativity, functionality, execution, and impact.
1st Place — Group 5: Smart Intruder Alert System
Prize: GH₵ 2,500 + souvenirs
A motion-detection system built for farms, homes, and small businesses.
2nd Place — Team SolarVerse: Plant Light Tracker
Prize: GH₵ 1,500 + souvenirs
3rd Place — Smart Irrigation System (Group 1)
Prize: GH₵ 1,000 + souvenirs
Honourable Mention — Team SAWS: Smart Walking Aid
All participants received certificates.
Driving the news
STEMAIDE leaders say the hackathon marks a turning point in how Ghana develops talent for AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
- “Hack STEMAIDE is a catalyst for job creation and a pipeline for young inventors,”
— Prince Boateng Asare, CEO, STEMAIDE Africa - “Ghanaian youth can build real tech solutions when given the tools.”
— Adoma Nyarko, Head of Marketing & Business Development
What’s next: A nationwide expansion in 2026
STEMAIDE will launch a nationwide Hack STEMAIDE Roadshow, hosting AI, robotics, and IoT hackathons across all regions. Regional winners will advance to the flagship competition at GDIW 2026.
The goals:
- Build a pipeline of future-ready innovators
- Strengthen Ghana’s robotics & AI capacity
- Turn prototypes into real startups
- Prepare youth for the future of work
“Innovation begins with a spark — Hack STEMAIDE turns that spark into a flame.”
— Bennistar K.K. Cobbah, Community Engagement Lead
The call to action
STEMAIDE is inviting companies, government institutions, telcos, and foundations to partner for the 2026 hackathon cycle.
