Fifty (50) teams have been unveiled in preparation for the final pitching stage, as the final exhibition and awards ceremony are fast approaching.

These teams come from junior high schools across three regions out of the hundred semi-finalists: 15 from Greater Accra, 15 from Eastern, and 20 from the Ashanti regions.

The finalists are privileged to have been selected to refine their ideas, develop prototypes, and pitch them in order to advance to the awards ceremony and gain valuable real-world experience.

The induction was organized specifically to prepare the teams for the next phase of the challenge. The event provided an opportunity for finalists to gain critical knowledge and skills to help shape their projects.

Speaking to the finalists from the Greater Accra Region, the Greater Accra Regional Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Innovation Education (STMIE) Coordinator at the Ghana Education Service, Berthy Buah, congratulated the various teams and encouraged them to continue with their projects.

"Congratulations to all the finalist teams for making it to this critical stage of the GSTEP Challenge. The skills you are developing through this program will not only shape your projects but also prepare you for careers that can drive Ghana’s development,” STMIE Coordinator stated.

She also urged the participants to seize this opportunity and make the most of the mentorship, funding, and industry exposure they will receive, adding that it is a rare chance to develop their ideas into reality. She admonished them to embrace every lesson, challenge, and success along the way.

Mrs. Buah commended the teachers and mentors who have dedicated their time to guiding the teams in their pursuits.

“I would also like to commend the teachers who have guided and supported these teams throughout their journey. Their passion and belief in their students’ potential have played a crucial role in helping them reach this stage. Thank you for your tireless efforts in nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders. We look forward to seeing the remarkable innovations that will emerge from this phase of the challenge at the exhibition and awards ceremony."

Additionally, the lead for Partnerships and Alliances with the Partnership Bureau, Francis Ahene-Affoh who spoke on behalf of the sponsors expressed their utmost gratitude to the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service for their support in previous editions.

Mr. Ahene-Affoh called on private STEM-oriented organizations and 'STEMpreneurs' to come on board and support the initiative with funding to bring the competition to a grand climax.

“We've been working with the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service, and we are thankful for their support. The teachers, the STEM coordinators, the students who are in this program are because of, Ghana Education Service. It is through their powers their powers that these, schools and teams, come in to join the challenge, and we're really thankful for all the support that they've been giving us throughout the years. We expect business partners or strategic partners as we call them to come in and help us and nurture the young people in business development, marketing, and accounting,” he pleaded.

The GSTEP consortium, along with its partners and funders, is excited to support these young innovators as they anticipate the development of their ideas in the coming months. They are working tirelessly, providing well-equipped STEM materials for all the teams in the development of their projects and ensuring that the exhibition and awards ceremony will be a success.

The final stage is a crucial step on the road to the Pitching and Judging events, as well as the Exhibition and Awards Ceremony, where teams are expected to showcase their projects to industry leaders and the public.

All participating teams have intriguing, problem-solving project ideas, and they are all focused and putting in the effort to create the best prototypes and clinch the ultimate prize.
As the finalists embark on this journey, they will be challenged to think creatively, work collaboratively, and push the boundaries of what’s possible with STEM education.