Quality Assurance Officer in charge of competition of Ghana TVET services, Abigail Shardey Ayeh, says that technical and vocational education has provided students with valuable opportunities to apply what they have learned in real-world situations.

According to her, this education model has nurtured their creativity and encouraged teamwork among students.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on September 20, she said, "TVET has given students the opportunity to put the things they are learning into practice. It has made them innovative and creative."

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“I was amazed when I saw a school coming up with production of brakes. They were saying that very soon pure water rubber will be a commodity because you have to queue to buy it because if a project comes out, they would make a lot of money. Cement prices have increased and people cannot afford, so it’s very innovative.”  

The Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Ashesi University, Araba Botchway, stated that transforming education to be more practical will help students recognise the feasibility of their dreams, leading them to contribute more significantly to society as they grow.

“That is what keeps driving us to invest in this to see more young people come up with innovations that will see the light,” she said.

In addition, an officer for Renewable Energy Regulation at the Energy Commission, Bernice Adjoa Eshun Nortey stated that the Renewable Challenge Competition shows the importance of self-sufficiency and demonstrates that Ghana does not always need to rely on foreign aid.

According to her, several students have brilliant ideas that can develop the country.

"We are in this country. We know what conditions we face and how we can solve them. There are so many potentials in our students and our teachers are helping refine them, so given the opportunity they will be able to do better and greater for this nation," he said.

The Renewable Challenge Challenge seeks to promote creative thinking and provide mentorship to students in the second-cycle institutions, and also extend to them the platform to exhibit their innovative projects.

This year's competition is focused on innovative renewable energy solutions.

This year’s theme of the challenge is “Application of Renewal Energy Technologies in Solving Land Degradation and Water Pollution.”

According to the Energy Commission, the choice of the theme is for the students to come out with solutions that could aid end the menace of land degradation and pollution of water bodies.

All 16 regional winners will gathered in Kumasi in August for a zonal stage contest, out of which 6 best schools have been selected for the final contest in October this year.