The maiden Robotics for Good Youth Challenge, an educational robotics competition under the United Nations, was held on March 22, 2025, at Academic City University in Accra. The event, which saw 23 teams competing, was organised by The MakersPlace, a leading Ghanaian tech education hub.
Speaking at the event, Douglas Ayitey, Founder and CEO of The MakersPlace, emphasized the organisation’s mission to democratise computing education through robotics, coding, 3D printing, and other emerging technologies.
“Our goal is to make sure that computing education is democratised to all in our communities. We have been doing this for the past six years, giving opportunities to young people to take part in national and international competitions,” Mr. Ayitey stated.
The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge is a global initiative spanning over 34 countries, with winners earning a chance to represent their nations at the world championship in Geneva, Switzerland, in July 2025.
Mr. Ayitey confirmed that Ghana’s winning teams—one from the junior category and one from the senior category—will receive additional training in preparation for the international stage.
Expanding the Future of STEM Education in Ghana
Mr. Ayitey stressed the long-term importance of STEM education in Ghana, highlighting its integrated approach that combines mathematics, computational thinking, physics, and technology.
According to him, in the near future Ghanaians must see STEM as an opportunity to thrive in a digital world. We cannot just continue to be consumers of technology,” he said.
He also noted the digital skills gap in Ghana and called for a shift away from rote memorisation toward hands-on learning.
“What we are teaching these children is critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills—skills needed in every career, whether they become engineers, lawyers, or entrepreneurs,” he furthered.
“Let children take this as a hobby today, which may become a career tomorrow.”
Collaboration with Stakeholders to Advance STEM Education
The MakersPlace CEO acknowledged the Ghanaian government’s efforts to integrate STEM and AI education into national policies, but he highlighted resource challenges that limit participation. “The hardware for these competitions is expensive, and without support from corporate Ghana and media advocacy, it becomes difficult to champion this cause,” he explained.
He called on policymakers, corporate entities, and media partners to support the initiative, ensuring that students in rural areas also have access to STEM opportunities.
“Without collaboration, achieving the global goal of making our people tech-ready will be very difficult,” he noted, while recognizing existing ecosystem partnerships with InovTech Foundation, Ghana EdTech Alliance, Coral Reef, and others to advance STEM education and provide Ghanaian youth with the skills they need for the future.
The MakersPlace is a STEM.org Accredited organization dedicated to equipping Ghana and Africa’s future workforce with STEM/STEAM skills. Through hands-on learning, school demonstrations, and a strong engineering team, it has become a top choice for homeschoolers and a leading advocate for integrating practical skills into education.
