Final year students of the GIMPA School of Technology in Accra have been crowned winners of the school’s maiden App Challenge.

The students created an app called GluCheck which is designed to help users especially with diabetes to automatically calculate the carbohydrate level in food they eat.

The goal of the app, the students explained, is for diabetic patients to know their glucose level and also have access to a  dietician who will suggest foods for them at the click of a button on their mobile phones.

Students from Ashesi University came second with an app called In Case of Emergency (ICE) which will enable users alert either fire service or the police of any emergency for prompt action.

Two other competing universities could not turn up for the competition.

After several rounds of presentations, the students from GIMPA were adjudged as winners.

They were awarded a plaque, certification for participation, souvenirs from Surfline and internship with IT firm, Npontu Technologies.

The students from Ashesi were also presented with certification and souvenirs from Surfline for their efforts.

Acting Dean of the GIMPA School of Technology, Dr. Joseph Adjei said the App Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for students to demonstrate their technical, creative skills and also encourage them to develop application which will address a need in society.

He stated due to the influx of mobile phones and the critical role it plays in national development Ghanaian students must be creative in order to reap the benefits of the digital economy.

Dr. Joseph Adjei said the GIMPA School of Technology has a responsibility to ensure that Ghana plays a significant role in the apps industry.

He said the school recognizes the importance of using technology as a tool to promote human development hence the decision to encourage indigenous developers to come out with their own applications.

A lecturer of the school, Mr. Kwasi Boakye-Boateng was very proud of the students for winning the maiden edition of the App challenge.

He indicated that, such competition give students with skills to develop user-friendly mobile applications relevant to the local market.

Mr. Boakye-Boateng advocated such competitions should be replicated in all tertiary institutions across the country to empower local developers to utilize their skills for national development.