Adidome Senior High School (SHS) has secured its place in the national finals of the 2025 Renewable Energy Challenge, a prestigious competition organized by the Energy Commission of Ghana. Emerging victorious from a field of nine other Volta Region schools, Adidome SHS captivated the judges with their ingenious smart dustbin system, a project that addresses waste management challenges while promoting sustainability and job creation. The competition, held at OLA Senior High School in Ho, Volta Region, on June 17th, is part of a broader national initiative to cultivate practical innovation in renewable energy among Ghana’s secondary school students. This year’s theme, “Sustainable Energy and a Healthier Future,” encouraged students to develop real-world solutions to pressing environmental issues, with Adidome SHS’s project standing out as a compelling example of such innovation.
The Adidome SHS team’s award-winning project centers around a smart dustbin system designed to segregate plastic and metal waste. This segregated waste is then processed through a drying and shredding system before ultimately being recycled into durable, water-resistant pavement blocks. These innovative pavement blocks are specifically engineered to improve drainage systems and mitigate the risks of flooding, a significant concern in many parts of Ghana. The project’s multifaceted approach, combining waste management with infrastructural improvements, resonated strongly with the judges. Furthermore, the introduction of new roles for waste collection and maintenance within the proposed system addresses youth unemployment, adding a valuable social dimension to the project’s environmental focus. The team now sets its sights on the national competition, carrying the hopes of the Volta Region and aiming to bring home a fourth consecutive national title.
The school’s success is attributed in no small part to the guidance of Mr. Godfred Arthur Boison, a Chemistry teacher at Adidome SHS, who has overseen the project’s development. Boison revealed that the team’s ambition extends beyond pavement blocks, with plans underway to explore further applications for recycled materials, including the production of school furniture such as tables and chairs. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the school’s long-term vision of leveraging waste materials to address infrastructure challenges, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices and resourcefulness. The team’s ingenuity showcases the potential of turning waste into valuable resources, contributing to both environmental sustainability and cost-effective solutions for the school.
The Renewable Energy Challenge, now in its sixth year, has solidified its position as a crucial platform for fostering innovation among Ghanaian youth, as highlighted by Mr. Fredrick Ken Appiah, Deputy Director in charge of Renewable Energy at the Energy Commission. The competition is a rigorous process, involving internal school contests followed by extensive research and prototype development before reaching the regional finals. While Volta Region schools have consistently demonstrated a strong track record in the national competition, the Energy Commission is committed to broadening participation and encouraging entries from less privileged institutions across the country. Appiah emphasized that talent transcends privilege, and with appropriate support, schools in underserved communities have the potential to excel.
Looking towards the future of the competition and its impact, the Energy Commission is exploring the establishment of a post-challenge support fund. This fund aims to provide financial assistance to student teams, enabling them to refine their prototypes and explore commercialization opportunities, regardless of their placement in the national competition. This proactive approach ensures that promising innovations are not stifled by a lack of funding, allowing students to further develop their projects and potentially transform them into viable businesses. One notable success story from previous challenges is the development of a solar dehydrator, a project that has already secured a patent. The Energy Commission emphasizes that the intellectual property rights for such innovations remain with the students, their schools, and their mentors, with the Commission acting as a facilitator to connect these innovative ideas with real-world applications.
The 2025 Volta Regional competition was further distinguished by the presence of Mr. Francis Agbemadi, the Volta Regional Director of Education. Agbemadi commended the students, teachers, and organizers for their unwavering commitment to fostering innovation-driven learning. He advocated for increased investment in educational programs that prioritize creativity and critical thinking, recognizing the Renewable Energy Challenge as a strategic tool for nurturing problem-solving skills essential for the 21st century. Acknowledging the financial strain often borne by teachers in supporting such projects, Agbemadi called for the implementation of structured mechanisms to facilitate project-based learning, emphasizing that increased funding and strengthened stakeholder collaboration are crucial for achieving even greater success. The winning teams are rewarded not only with recognition but also with an enriching educational visit to Ashesi University, a prestigious institution known for its focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, further solidifying the link between academic learning and practical application. The Energy Commission expressed sincere gratitude to its partners, particularly GIZ and Ashesi University, for their ongoing support. As the national competition draws near, Adidome SHS is diligently refining its smart dustbin prototype, incorporating valuable feedback from judges and mentors. Their project embodies a significant stride towards a greener, more sustainable future for Ghana, serving as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of youth innovation in addressing the nation’s most critical challenges.
