One hundred and five semi-finalists have been inaugurated to compete in the 2025 Ghana Science and Tech Explorer Prize (GSTEP) challenge.

The teams emanate from schools within the Greater Accra, Eastern, and Ashanti regions.

This year’s edition requires the semi-finalists to commence the invention of a mini-prototype of their projects ahead of their pitches to qualify as one of forty-five (45) teams to represent their various regions at the grand finale.

As part of the requirements, the induction ceremonies were held to introduce the teams to the tools and equipment to be used in the creation of the prototypes. These exercises aim to sharpen the participants’ technical, business, and presentation skills.

Founder of GSTEP, Constance Agyemang, who spoke at the Ashanti region’s induction ceremony, reiterated the competition’s mission to nurture the creativity and problem-solving skills of young minds while equipping them with practical experiences and teamwork abilities.

“The goal is to bring children together to celebrate their success as semifinalists and to prepare them for the journey ahead. GSTEP continues to serve as a beacon for nurturing the next generation of innovators and problem solvers in Ghana, inspiring them to build a brighter future through science, technology, and collaboration,” Ms. Agyemang stated.

Susanna Hausmann, Cities Portfolio Lead for Fondation Botnar - funders for the challenge expressed confidence in the untapped potential of students and young innovators, emphasizing that they can drive meaningful change when given the right platform.

“GSTEP is one such initiative that provides this platform, enabling youth to learn, create, and grow. It’s not about the process; it’s about the change,” she stated, highlighting the program’s mission to make a tangible difference in the lives of young individuals.

The Regional Director of Education for the Eastern Region, Ivy Asantewaa Owusu, commended the GSTEP Consortium for its dedication to nurturing STEM talent and fostering innovation among young minds.

Speaking at the Eastern Region induction ceremony, she remarked, “The GSTEP Challenge is a transformative initiative that equips our young learners with the skills and mindset to tackle real-world challenges. I applaud the semi-finalists for their creativity, determination, and commitment to excellence. To you, my eastern region teams, your journey represents not just the future of STEM in Ghana but the promise of impactful solutions for our communities. I am confident you will make us proud and make the Eastern Region claim the ultimate award this year."

The organisers promise to engage the contending students in unique workshops and learning opportunities, including the Synergy Safari, a team-building exercise designed to teach participants how to work collaboratively, resolve conflicts, and unite behind a shared vision to turn their ideas into reality.

Out of the total number, forty-two (42), twenty-six (26), and thirty-seven (37) teams are representing the Ashanti, Eastern, and Greater Accra regions, respectively, with ninety (90) business mentors and technical coaches to guide the teams in their projects development.

One of the Greater Accra business mentors, Prince Oduro, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, expressed their readiness to coach the students in navigating the business aspect of the training, enabling them to create employment for themselves at this stage and prepare for the future.

“The practical idea I’m bringing on board is for them to find out how the market works because being an inventor is different from being a businessman. There are people who are inventors but don’t know how to market their products. They don’t know how to meet the investors. So one way or the other, we’ll coach them on how to meet investors and how to sell their products to people in the market,” he shared.

All teams are provided with STEM kits by Shulem Lake to assist in the creation of their various prototypes, grooming them into better inventors.

The semi-finalists are assured of receiving the necessary guidance to become "STEM-powered" business owners and self-employed. Teams that will be unable to make it to the finalist stage are granted the opportunity to participate in the Perseverance Awards Programme and continue building their prototype.

The GSTEP challenge has had a great impact on students, empowering young people to harness their practical experiences to impact their communities positively.