Sogakofe Senior High School in the Volta Region emerged as champions in the fourth edition of the National Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge, surpassing 125 other schools.
The school secured victory in the finals, where participants were tasked with developing projects that incorporated renewable energy technologies in agriculture.
The competition was organized by the Energy Commission and the Ghana Education Service under the theme, “Mechanising Small-Scale Agriculture using Renewable Energy Technologies.”
During the event, Kpedze SHS unveiled a refined Solar Dehydrator developed in the previous edition, aimed at assisting farmers in processing agricultural produce.
Sogakope SHS was crowned the champion with a score of 90.7 percent. They received a cash prize of GH₵10,000.00, a plaque, a 5-kilowatt Solar PV System, 30 Solar Lamps, 25 GAST Integrated Science books, 25 LED Streetlights, 10 Dustbins, and 10 Handwashing stations for their school. The team also received GH₵15,000.00 in cash, five laptops, 15 Solar Lamps, and five Solar Fans.
Yaa Asantewaa Girls SHS secured second place with an 89 percent score, earning them a cash prize of GH₵7,000.00, a plaque, 25 Solar Lamps, 20 GAST Integrated Science books, and 25 LED Streetlights for their school.
The team also received GH₵10,000.00 in cash, five tablets, and additional solar products.
Kwabre SHS clinched third place with a score of 83.8 percent and won the maiden Professor George Hagan Best Teamwork award.
They were awarded GH₵5,000.00 in cash, a plaque, 20 Solar Lamps, 15 GAST Integrated Science books, and 25 LED Streetlights for their school. The team received GH₵7,500.00, five tablets, and other solar products.
Mfantsiman Girls SHS, Dormaa SHS, and Serwaa Kese Girls SHS secured fourth, fifth, and sixth places, respectively, with scores of 83.5 percent, 83.3 percent, and 81.3 percent.
Each school received cash prizes of GH₵3,000.00, solar products, and a plaque, as well as GH₵5,000.00, 15 phones, and 10 Solar Lamps for the respective teams.
The winning project presented by Sogakofe SHS, titled “Five-In-One Agriculture Machine: The Farmers Friend,” integrates five fully functioning systems that can slash, irrigate, sow seeds, spray, and harrow. The project is set to revolutionize agriculture, boosting efficiency and productivity.
The Second Lady, Mrs. Samira Bawumia, emphasized the significance of mechanizing small-scale agriculture, stating that it sustains communities and provides employment to a significant portion of the population.
She commended the collaborative efforts of the Energy Commission and the Ghana Education Service in integrating renewable energy technologies into the educational curriculum.
Mr. Andrew Egyapa Mercer, Deputy Minister of Energy, highlighted the importance of maximizing efficiencies in the agriculture sector and the role of renewable energy in achieving energy security. He noted the abundance of renewable energy sources in Ghana and their progress over the years.
The competition has been instrumental in providing education and raising awareness about renewable energy resources and technologies to students in various SHS and technical schools in the country.
It has sponsorship from various organizations, including Bui Power Authority, Kosmo Energy, Volta River Authority, French Development Agency, German Agency for International Cooperation, Ashesi University, Sunon Asogli, and Ghana Television.